Kaya-Iloilo’s debut campaign in the 2024-25 AFC Women’s Champions League came to a disappointing end on Saturday night, suffering a 4-0 defeat against Melbourne City at the BG Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
The reigning 2024 A-League Women champions demonstrated their superiority right from the opening whistle.
Mariana Speckmaier opened the scoring just four minutes into the match, finding the back of the net from a tight angle past goalkeeper Inna Palacios.
Melbourne City extended its lead before halftime, with Rebekah Stott doubling the advantage in the seventh minute.
Lourdes Bosch then scored a brace, netting goals in the 10th and 38th minutes to secure the win.
Despite efforts from UAAP products Cam Rodriguez and Dionesa Tolentin to get Kaya-Iloilo on the scoreboard, neither was able to convert their chances.
As a result of this match, Let Dimzon’s side finished third in Group B with two points and a -4 goal difference after drawing its first two matches and losing its last.
Kaya-Iloilo also ended up third in the ranking of third-placed teams, with the top two – China’s Wuhan Jianghan University and Taiwan’s Taichung Blue Whale – advancing to the next round after winning one game each in Group A and Group C, respectively.
Meanwhile, Melbourne City topped Group B with nine points and a plus-8 goal difference.
Iran’s Bam Khatoon secured second place with four points, following a 2-1 victory over the fourth-placed College of Asian Scholars.
