Continental club football resumes tomorrow, March 15, 2016, as matchday three of the 2016 Asian Football Confederation Cup group stages kicks off. Kaya Football Club take on Singaporean team Balestier Khalsa Football Club in what promises to be an exciting clash, with both teams separated by a solitary point. Balestier currently lead Group F with 4 points, while Kaya are behind them in third place with 3 points.
With Group F so tight, tomorrow’s encounter becomes more significant, as every point counts. Balestier coach Marko Krajevic said, “It will be very tough. Hopefully we can win the game, it will be a very good result. A draw would be not bad.” Krajevic’s counterpart, Kaya coach Joel Villarino, likewise agreed with his statement. Villarino said,”Expect a very tough game tomorrow because everyone wants to win the game tomorrow and then we will take advantage of home game.”
The two teams are relatively new to the AFC Cup. The current edition is Kaya’s first year of participation, while Balestier had participated in the previous season. Villarino admitted that Kaya still have a lot to learn when it comes to the competition. “Yeah since this is also our first participation with AFC (Cup) so we need to do more adjustments, really.” Villarino was vague when asked about how his side will play tomorrow, while Krajevic felt that in-game adjustments will be inevitable. “How we’re going to play depends on (Kaya) also.” Krajevic added that Rizal’s artificial pitch won’t pose any problem to Balestier as they regularly play on that type of surface.
Kaya midfielder OJ Porteria opined that the winner of tomorrow’s match would have one foot in the next round. For Villarino, it was all about using every advantage possible. Villarino said, “As I said, we will take advantage of the crowd tomorrow and then it really motivates us also, the fans. What we want is just too play hard hard tomorrow because I think Balestier Khlasa is one of the strongest in our group.”
For Krajevic, the game will be all about getting a point or three after ninety minutes. “Depends on the situation in tomorrow’s game. I can say one of us will be sure go for next round. Don’t lose away will be a big advantage at home. It will be a very good game for the fans.”
As mentioned earlier, Balestier lead Group F with 4 points, while Kitchee Sports Club of Hong Kong are behind them at 2nd place with 3 points. Kaya have to make do with third place despite having the same number of points as Kitchee because of the head-to-head record. New Radiant Sports Club are bottom with a point.
The match shall be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila. Kickoff time is 7:30PM.
