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