Dolen Omurzakov Stadium — Kaya FC-Iloilo entered their final AFC Women’s Champions League Preliminary Stage match knowing a draw would be enough to send them through to the main tournament. TSL FC, however, needed all three points, setting the stage for a tense and physical battle that would go down to the final whistle.

The match immediately took on a different character from Kaya’s first two games. Neither side was able to fully claim momentum, with the opening stages played at a frantic pace and physicality evident across the pitch. Every possession was contested, every attack met with resistance, and neither team was willing to give the other an inch.

The Hong Kong-based side had the first dangerous chance of the match in the 12th minute. TSL’s Liao drove into the Kaya six-yard box from the left flank, but Yasmin Elauria bravely came off her line and threw herself in front of the attempt to block it.

Kaya nearly found an opener of their own twelve minutes later. A free kick from the right found Janae DeFazio in the box, but her header sailed narrowly over the bar.

The women in blue began to edge the territorial battle as the half wore on, piling up corners and forcing Elauria into an increasingly important role. In the 42nd minute, TSL’s Leung sent a high, looping shot toward the upper right corner, but Elauria quickly backpedaled before leaping to get a hand to the ball and bat it away. 

Kaya struggled to escape their own half in the closing stages of the first period, with TSL continuing to apply pressure but ultimately failing to find a breakthrough.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, however, Jysabella Tolentino provided a glimpse of what Kaya could do when they found space. Chasing a ball along the right touchline, she fought through two defenders to win possession, charged into the box and got off a shot on target, only for TSL’s goalkeeper Ng Cheuk to make the save.

Still, neither side could find a way through, and the teams went into the break locked at 0–0.

TSL then nearly broke the deadlock right after the restart, with fellow Filipino Isabella Bandoja slipping past her markers to find space and get a shot away. Once again, Elauria was there to deny her, producing another crucial save to keep the score level.

Kaya continued to struggle to find a way through in attack, while the physical battle showed no signs of letting up. Then came the game changers.

Kaya’s first two substitutions came in the 60th minute and immediately helped turn the flow of the match. The women in yellow began to find more space going forward, spending longer spells in TSL territory. A minute later, Maye Mendaño unleashed a fierce strike that flew just over the bar.

The danger was not gone at the other end, however. In the 74th minute, a long-range free kick—from just inside TSL’s own half—bounced dangerously in front of goal before clipping the crossbar, giving Kaya another scare as the match entered its final stages.

The closing fifteen minutes brought a sharper edge to an already physical contest. The midfield became a battleground as tackles from both sides grew heavier, with TSL pushing harder for the goal they needed. With Kaya holding the advantage on goal difference, a draw would be enough to send the Philippine champions through, while their Hong Kong counterparts had no choice but to chase the win.

Kaya dug in.

The final minutes became a test of discipline and determination, with the Lionesses putting everything into protecting their goal and seeing out the result. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Rhea Chan delivered a strong but legal challenge on Liao that sparked a furious reaction from the opposing bench. Their head coach was shown a second yellow card and sent off as tensions boiled over.

It was not pretty, and it did not need to be. Kaya held firm.

The final whistle sealed a hard-fought 0–0 draw, enough for Kaya FC-Iloilo to finish atop the group and secure their place in the AFC Women’s Champions League Group Stage.

Three games. Seven points. One historic step forward.

Starting Lineup: 4-3-3

LF: Carpio  ST: Tolentino  RF: Tolentin©

CM: Mendaño  CDM: Tulabing  CM: Vasquez

LB: DeFazio  CB: Yoshida  CB: Chan  RB: Cuenca

GK: Elauria

Subs: Pido, Hulleza, Cadag, Rodriguez, Tanjangco, Alforque, Lemoran, Onrubia, Fontamillas, Sotto, Altiche

Coach David Basa made just four substitutions in this match:

• Janly Fontamillas and Cam Rodriguez came on for Lyka Cuenco and Jysabella Tolentino in the 60th minute.
• Joyce Onrubia and Carmela Altiche replaced Maye Mendaño and Alex Carpio in the 84th minute. 

Following a pair of hard tackles, Alex Carpio and Sarahgen Tulabing were shown yellow cards in the 84th and 89th minutes, respectively.