Despite the numerical advantage on the pitch, Kaya-Iloilo Football Club could not get a much-needed win in the 2020 AFC Cup group stage.
Oliver Colina’s men had to make do with a 1-1 stalemate against Indonesian side PSM Makassar, Tuesday evening, at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta.
Down by a goal after the first period, the Far Eastern University connection saved the blushes of the Philippines Football League team. At the 50th minute of the contest, Arnel Amita delivered a fine ball, which was then headed into the goal by Eric Ben Giganto.
It was a welcome respite for the Filipino club as it went behind the home side at the 22nd minute courtesy of a goal from forward Osas Saha. Beforehand, though, defender Dedy Gusmawan was ejected for incurring two yellow cards from referee Srikrishna Coimbatore Ramaswamy.
Both teams, though, had chances near the end of the game to steal all three points. Skipper Jovin Bedic’s header was narrowly cleared away from goal while Osas’ shot painfully wide with Kaya goalkeeper Louie Casas’ goal at his mercy.
The result momentarily allows Kaya to be at the top of Group H with 5 points as Singapore’s Tampines Rovers and Myanmar’s Shan United set to play against each other later in the evening. On the other hand, PSM Makassar now has 4 points after three games played.
Kaya and PSM Makassar shall square off once again in their fourth game of the round. That fixture shall be played on April 15, 2020, 7:00 PM at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
PSM Makassar XI: Wasyiat H, Hussein, Ferdinand ©, Osas Saha, Dedy G, Y Sayuri, M Rizky, Leo Guntara, Ahmad Agung, M Arfan, Hilman (GK).
Kaya XI: Omura, Bedic ©, Angeles, Giganto, Casambre, Mitchell, Daizo, Rota, Casas (GK), Felongco, Taku.
