Kaya-Iloilo suffered a difficult start to its 2021 AFC Champions League campaign after it received a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Thailand’s BG Pathum United, Saturday evening at the Pathum Thani Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
The outcome ensures Kaya is currently last in Group F. Meanwhile, BG Pathum United has 3 points to start its run.
“I’m very proud of our side, our boys gave 100%. They worked very hard, particularly when we were down to ten men. They did everything we asked of them before the game,” said coach Graham Harvey.
The current Thai League 1 champions dominated from the start. Australian coach Aurelio Vidmar’s men raced to a two-goal advantage in the first period. Kaya found it difficult to keep up with the home side’s incision.
Thai football legend Teerasil Dangda broke the deadlock for BG Pathum United. He capitalized on a miscue from Kaya goalkeeper Louie Casas in the 23rd minute. His strike partner Diogo Santo found himself through, then finished neatly at the 34th minute.
Already down by two goals, things went worse for Kaya early in the second half. Defender Simone Rota received a red card in the 49th minute for bringing down Diogo Luis Santo. The player then converted a free-kick past Casas in the 50th minute.
Dangda then followed his strike partner Diogo’s lead. He got his second goal of the match when he headed the ball into the net in the 59th minute.
Kaya, though, pulled one back in the 81st minute thanks to Marwin Angeles’ fantastic finish.
“I think for us now, we need to make sure we get up, stand up, and go again. But I’m very proud of how the boys worked for the 90 minutes. All of our squad that came on, the five substitutes, I think they made a real impact in the game,” furthered Harvey.
During the halftime break, Harvey brought on Kenshiro Daniels for skipper Jovin Bedic; Arnel Amita for Carlyle Mitchell; and Fitch Arboleda for Audie Menzi.
Jarvey Gayoso also came on for his Kaya debut for Dylan De Bruycker in the 65th minute. Kaya’s last sub was Eric Giganto for Ryo Fujii.
Kaya looks to bounce back on this result against Vietnam’s Viettel Football Club on Tuesday at 10:00 PM Manila time.
BG Pathum XI: Chatchai (GK), Victor (C), Sarach, Diogo, Thitiphan, Teerasil, Santipharp, Ingreso, Tunez, Piyachanok, Todrak.
Kaya XI: Masanari, Bedic ©, Angeles, Fujii, Casambre, Mitchell, Daizo, De Bruycker, Rota, Casas (GK), Menzi.
