Manila, Philippines — In front of a rambunctious crowd 8,500 strong, the visiting Kaya FC-Iloilo fell 4-0 to Incheon United FC. The team kept fighting through all 90 minutes, but it just wasn’t Kaya’s day as the hosts put on a show for their fans.
The K-League side struck the first blow in the fifth minute, successfully pressuring the Kaya backline from the get-go. A peach of a cross curled into the Iloilo box for Incheon’s Stefan Mugosa, who took to the sky and headed in the opener. (1-0)
The same Montenegrin international went on to double Kaya’s deficit in the 19th minute, drawing a foul on Ricki Sendra and converting from the penalty spot. (2-0)
The home team’s advance continued in the 36th minute—blue jerseys working the ball through and around the lines of yellow and onrushing red to Hernandes Rodrigues, who stays onside for the empty tap in. (3-0)
Jarvey Gayoso came close to snatching a goal back in the 39th minute—the forward took a right-footed shot from an extremely tight angle that cruelly pinged off the crossbar.
Fellow frontman Daizo Horikoshi also had a chance right before halftime. The ball worked its way back into the Incheon box following a corner, and the speedster recorded Iloilo’s first shot on target with a half-volley that tested the keeper.
Kaya made their defensive adjustments during the break, settling the game down a tad in the second half. However, the hosts managed one final hit in the 76th minute—Paul-Jose M’Poku curling his free kick into the bottom corner to seal the deal. (4-0)
The boys will look to redeem themselves on the domestic stage in the Copa Paulino Alcantara, before heading back on the road to face reigning Japanese champions Yokohama F. Marinos on October 25.
Starting Lineup:
ST: Horikoshi, ST: Gayoso
CM: Sendra, CM: Baas, CM: Angeles
LWB: Melliza, CB: Rota, CB: Menzi, CB: Diano, RWB: Arboleda©
GK: Kammeraad
Subs: Balobo, Tacusalme, Swainston, Bedic, Giganto, Amita, Lopez Mendy, Dizon
Coach Colum Curtis utilized four substitutions in this match:
- Mark Swainston checked into the game for Marwin Angeles in the .68th minute.
- Arnel Amita came in for Simone Rota in the 75th.
- Lastly, Eric Giganto and Robert Lopez Mendy replaced Justin Baas and Jarvey Gayoso in the 83rd.
