Misfortunes bring Kaya FC-Iloilo's ACL campaign to an end with defeat

Two red cards in a span of two minutes saw Kaya FC-Iloilo's chance of a win or shared points in their final match in the AFC Champions League against Viettel FC crumble and finish their maiden ACL appearance with a winless feat.

The only goal of the match came from a free kick from Caique Lemes in the 57th minute. Masanari Omura was given a red card after a late tackle on Nguyen Trong Hoang which gave Caique the opportunity to curl it over the fall to the top corner of the goal where Zach Banzon wouldn't be able to get his hands to.

The first half was a decent start for the 2020 Philippines Football League runners-up as they were able to hold the V.League winners to a scoreless half. Viettel had three shots on goal in the first half and they were all met by Banzon to keep them scoreless.

As the proceedings went on in the second half, Kaya FC was already starting to get their groove on as they managed to switch the ball from left to right and string some decent passing rhythm.

However, a red card for Simone Rota in the 53rd minute started the downfall of Kaya. Rota came in to cover Trong Hoang but with the Vietnamese taking advantage of the smallest of contacts, he went down and the referee did not hesitate to send off the Fil-Italian centreback.

Just as they were trying to get back into the match, two minutes after the first red card came the second sending off. Omura thought he had Trong Hoang covered but he was a step late and was forced for a late challenge which then resulted in another red card.

With nine men left on the pitch, Kaya FC did everything they can in their last match. There were chances on goal but nothing much to threaten Viettel's backline.

It was all on the defensive side that Kaya FC has improved a lot in their ACL campaign. They kept it at one-nil despite the barrage of attacks from the opposition.

The last heroics of the match came from the one who sent them there, Audie Menzi as he kept it at one-nil after a goal-line clearance in the 83rd minute.

"Going back to the Philippines, it's just about the boys understanding what they have achieved over here. We will be back in this stage of football next year," said coach Graham Harvey.

Kaya FC ended their maiden season in the AFC Champions League with six defeats but two goals in the bag thanks to Marwin Angeles' goal in their opening match against BG Pathum United and Jovin Bedic's wondergoal against Ulsan Hyundai which earned him the award for the Best Goal in Matchday 4.

Photo credits: AFC Champions League