Kaya-Iloilo secured its place in the AFC Women’s Champions League main tournament after holding TSL to a scoreless draw on Sunday at the GSA Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Both teams finished level on points in Group B, but the Philippine representative advanced on goal difference after scoring more goals in its previous matches.
Kaya-Iloilo’s best chances came through Dionesa Tolentin, whose cross was narrowly missed by Janae DeFazio midway through the first half. Meanwhile, Jysabella Tolentino saw her run stopped by goalkeeper Ng Cheuk Wai in injury time.
TSL, however, dictated the tempo for most of the match, forcing Kaya-Iloilo goalkeeper Yasmin Elauria to come up big as she dove and parried nearly every shot that came her way.
“I have trust in them from the very start,” said Elauria, referring to her teammates who helped defend the box, including when they shut down compatriot Isabella Bandoja. “I was claiming that we were going to win today. I feel happy our team qualified.”
Kaya-Iloilo finished the preliminaries with seven points and a +10 goal difference, ahead of TSL’s +6, to book its spot in the main tournament.
Meanwhile, Hali Long and BGC College of Asian Scholars were hoping to return to the AWCL group stage, but the Thai side suffered a 4-1 defeat to April 25 SC at Pathum Thani Stadium. The North Korean club advanced from Group D with nine points.
In Group C, Bhutan’s Royal Thimphu College defeated Laos’ Master, 5-0, at the Markaziy Stadium, but the victory was not enough for Yanzie Yalong and her teammates to advance. That privilege instead went to undefeated hosts PFC Nasaf.
In Group F, Ayeyawady FC qualified for the next round after edging New Taipei City Hang Yuan, 1-0, at Thuwunna Stadium. Alyssa Ube was an unused reserve for the Burmese club, which finished the round with a perfect record.
