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(C) KAYA-Iloilo

Football

Lopez Mendy’s clutch penalty lifts Kaya-Iloilo over HK Eastern, keeps ACL 2 hopes alive


Kaya-Iloilo finally achieved a breakthrough in the 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two group stage, defeating Hong Kong Eastern, 2-1, on Thursday night at Mong Kok Stadium.

Robert Lopez Mendy scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute via a penalty, awarded after Wong Tsz Ho fouled Jhan Jhan Melliza. The victory was a triumphant rebound for Kaya-Iloilo, who had previously fallen to Eastern 2-1 on October 25 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Kaya-Iloilo initially took the lead in the 32nd minute when Daizo Horikoshi converted a penalty after being fouled by Yapp Hung Fai. Eastern equalized in the 70th minute through Marcos Gondra, but Kaya’s persistence paid off when Lopez Mendy’s late spot-kick sealed the win.

Both Kaya-Iloilo and Eastern now hold three points in Group E and are level on goal difference at minus-6, keeping both teams in contention for a knockout-stage spot with two matches left.

Kaya-Iloilo will next face Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Rizal Memorial Stadium, while Eastern takes on Sydney, with both games scheduled for November 28.

Meanwhile, Dynamic Herb Cebu suffered a heavy 2-9 defeat to Thailand’s Muangthong United at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.

Guytho Mijland scored both of Cebu’s goals in the 20th and 23rd minutes, but Muangthong overpowered Cebu with a hat trick from Poramet Arjvirai, braces from Felicio Brown Forbes and Kakana Khamyok, and additional goals from Purachet Thodsanit and Kakana Khamyok.

This result was a stark contrast to the last meeting between the two sides on October 23, when Cebu managed a 2-2 draw against Muangthong.

Cebu, now eliminated from advancing, remains at the bottom of Group H with one point after four games, while Muangthong sits in third place with five points.

#ReadMore  Kaya-Iloilo, Cebu bow out of ACL 2 with final-day losses

Both teams will return as away teams on November 28, with Cebu facing Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Muangthong playing against Selangor.

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