Dolen Omurzakov Stadium — It was a daunting task for the recently crowned Philippine champions, beginning their continental campaign in a true away match against the host club in their home city of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. However, once the whistle blew, any nerves quickly gave way to composure, as Kaya FC-Iloilo delivered a resounding 6–0 victory over FC Ilbirs.

Kaya settled into the match almost immediately, looking the more comfortable side in possession. Off the ball, they kept Ilbirs from finding any real rhythm and looked very much like a team that belonged on this stage.

The opening goal came from a set piece 25 minutes into the match. Maye Mendaño swung a high, inswinging corner into the box, where Alex Carpio rose above her own teammate Jysabella Tolentino to get the decisive touch and head Kaya in front. 

Thirteen minutes later, Kaya doubled their advantage from another corner. This time, Inday Tolentin’s outswinging delivery picked out Saki Yoshida as she drifted beyond the penalty spot, sending a well-directed header into the net.

Two set pieces, two goals, and a 2–0 lead at the break.

If the first half established Kaya’s control, the second half was where they truly ran away with the game.

Mendaño produced perhaps the night’s most spectacular moment in the 58th minute. Her patented high, inswinging corner curled viciously toward goal and dropped straight into the far side of the net for a stunning Olimpico. The goal sent the Kaya players into a frenzy around the midfielder, and the lead grew to three.

Just fourteen minutes later, Kaya found their first goal from open play. Tolentin picked up the ball near the top right edge of the penalty area and unleashed an absolute rocket across goal and beyond the reach of the Ilbirs goalkeeper.

At 4–0, Kaya were firmly in control, but there was still time for more.

Carpio completed her brace in the 80th minute, reacting quickest in the box after the Ilbirs goalkeeper’s attempted punch-out didn’t quite get the ball clear. As it dropped loose, the forward was there to calmly nod it home and make it five.

With the final whistle approaching, there was still time for one more bit of magic.

In the 91st minute, Bhebe Lemoran received the ball inside the penalty area with a defender on her hip, then quickly backheeled it into the path of Marissa Vasquez. The Kaya newcomer showed equal composure, shaping to shoot before stepping around the last defender and calmly dinking the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.

The first goal in the Kaya shirt for the new No. 10, and on the Asian stage no less—a sixth for the Philippine champions, and a fitting way to cap the night.

The women in yellow turned a potentially difficult opening assignment into a commanding start to their AFC Women’s Champions League campaign. A clean sheet, three points, and plenty of momentum to carry into Thursday’s clash with Phnom Penh Crown.

Goals: Carpio ‘25, ‘80; Yoshida ‘38; Mendaño ‘58; Tolentin ‘72; Vasquez ‘90+1

Starting Lineup: 4-3-3

LF: Carpio  ST: Tolentino  RF: Tolentin

CM: Mendaño  CDM: Cadag©  CM: Onrubia

LB: DeFazio  CB: Yoshida  CB: Chan  RB: Fontamillas

GK: Pido

Subs: Elauria, Hulleza, Rodriguez, Vasquez, Cuenco, Tanjangco, Alforque, Lemoran, Sotto, Tulabing, Altiche

Coach David Basa made five substitutions in this match:

• Marissa Vasquez and Sarahgen Tulabing came on for Jysabella Tolentino and Joyce Onrubia in the 62nd minute.
• Bhebe Lemoran checked in for Shelah Cadag in the 74th, passing the captain’s armband to Inday Tolentin. 
• Lastly, Lyka Cuenco and Carmela Altiche replaced Janly Fontamillas and Alex Carpio in the 82nd to close the game out.