KAYA FC ended its Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup campaign with a heart-breaking 2-7 blowout loss to defending champion Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malysia in their round-of-16 duel on Wednesday night at the Stadium Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Yunos in Johor Baru.
Malaysia’s Southern Tigers flaunted their championship poise from the onset, mounting a 4-0 first-half lead over the underdog Kaya, which entered the knockout stage of the AFC Cup for the first time.
“The first goal we conceded really surprised us because we were not ready when it happened,” Kaya coach Joel Villarino told the league’s website. “I did not know what happened to our goalkeeper because we were not able to adjust right away to the free kick.”
Juan Manuel Lucero opened scoring in the 14th minute, while Pereyra Diaz doubled the lead with a penalty kick in the 23rd minute after being fouled by Kaya defender Alfred Osei inside the box. Azamuddin Akil sizzled with two goals in a seven-minute span, finding the back in the 33rd and 40th minutes. OJ Porteria found a brace for Kaya in the second half to make it 1-4 in the 53rd minute, but Lucero answered right away for a commanding 5-1 Southern Tigers lead.
Mahuli Jasuli made it 6-1 in the 61st minute before Lucero completed his hat trick a minute later. Woody Ugarte provided the second and last goal for Kaya.
Kaya coach Villarino remained satisfied with their campaign despite the heartbreaking loss.
“It was a very good experience against the defending champions. Some of us were new in facing big crowds away, especially when we were up against champions,” Villarino said. “We tried our best, but our best was not good enough in the game of tactics.”