By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Kaya FC-Iloilo’s first eye-opener came at the hands of Thailand football league champions BG Pathum United after being dealt a disappointing loss, 4-1, at the start of the 2021 AFC Champions League group stage.
Fresh off a stunning win against Shanghai Port FC in the knockout stage of the AFC, Iloilo had to withstand the rejuvenated Thai squad which fired from all cylinders.
BG Pathum’s scoring stars Teerasil Dangda and Diogo Luis Santo each scored deuces to spoil Kaya FC’s first-ever AFC debut.
On a positive note, Iloilo’s Marwin Angeles broke through the scoring column and found the back of the net at the 82nd mark.
The lone goal of Iloilo entered the history books as the first goal from Kaya FC in the Champions League and the first from a Filipino squad.
Iloilo head coach Graham Harvey will look to regroup his team and go back to the drawing board as they are set to face Viettel FC tomorrow.
After their duel with Viettel, Kaya FC will then challenge South Korean powerhouse Ulsan Hyundai FC on Friday.
