Phenomenal performance from Zach Banzon holds Thai League champs to a single goal

A lot was thrown in front of him but a solitary goal from outside the box was the only thing that got through Zach Banzon as they absorbed a one-nil defeat from the Thai League champions BG Pathum United in their AFC Champions League encounter.

A lone strike from Sarach Yooyen in the 83rd minute of the match was enough for the hosts to take home all three points after a brutal encounter with the debutants Kaya FC-Iloilo.

It was a physical game between the two as bodies are flying from left to right with Kaya being more physical than the two teams. They've shown grit in defense and confidence whenever they got the ball.

In the 11th minute, a collision between Kenshiro Daniels and Victor Cardozo where Daniels needed to receive some medical attention. The first real test of the match from BG Pathum came on the 14th minute but Zach Banzon was quick to react to punch it out.

Teerasil Dangda then tried to find the scoresheet a minute after the first threat but he was unable to pounce on the delivery from Sarach. In the 18th minute, Yordak Namuangrak curled in a dangerous cross for Dangda but the veteran striker was a step late to tap the ball in.

Dangda was proving to be quite dangerous in the first 30 minutes of the match as he tried to find an opening in the 27th minute but Banzon was quick enough to close the door on him.

That would be the last threatening attack from the Thai League champions as most of their strikes would either fly over the bar or would just curl off the posts.

The second half saw the introduction of Jarvey Gayoso in replacement of Jovin Bedic. The Ilonggo side went out of the gates in the second half as Daizo Horikoshi took matters into his own hands but Chatchai Budprom read it right away.

Moments of uncertainty came in on the 57th minute as Yooyen's long-range effort was blocked by Simone Rota only to find the ball bouncing towards Surachart Sareepim. His strike hit the bottom left post and luckily bounced to the embrace of Banzon.

Daniels came the closest to scoring for the debutants in the 70th minute after a great searing run from Horikoshi gave him ample amount of space upfront. His strike, however, was then punched out by Budprom for a corner.

After 82 minutes, the Thai League champs were already frustrated and were even hoping for a miracle to score one past the Ilonggo side but up steps Sarach to find the bottom left corner of the goal with his low-fizzing shot that Banzon couldn't do anything about.

"We were more disciplined," said head coach Graham Harvey about their game. He also added, "We were more structured in midfield from matchday one," talking about how his side improved after their first game which resulted in a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the same opposition.

Despite the defeat, Kaya FC-Iloilo will be taking away a lot of positive lessons about this match, more particularly, about their chances on goal and how organized they are in defense.

This match also unearthed one of the country's most precious gems between the sticks. A product of the Kaya FC youth system, Zach Banzon has been part of the senior squad for almost six years now and with his performance against BG Pathum United, things are just looking bright for him.