By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo conceded goals in the second half to suffer a 1-3 loss to the visiting Shandong Taishan of China in the group stage game of the 2023 AFC Champions League at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium on Tuesday night, September 19.

Moisés Lima Magalhães, Matheus Pato and Crysan da Cruz Queiroz Barcelos connected a goal each in the second half as the Chinese FA Cup champions drew first blood in the Group G standings.

After a scoreless first half, Shandong Taishan took the lead in the 63rd minute as Moisés knocked in a penalty kick after being fouled by Kaya-Iloilo’s Ricardo Sendra from inside the box.

The lead was doubled eight minutes later as Shandong Taishan’s Pato took advantage of Kaya-Iloilo goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad, leaving the goal for a left-footed shot from close range.

However, Kaya-Iloilo stayed alive in the contest as Jarvey Gayoso eluded the defense of Shandong Taishan goalkeeper Han Rongze with a left-footed shot from outside the box in the 79th minute.

The Iloilo City-based booters could not find a decent attempt to tie the score due to the physical and tight defense of Shandong Taishan, while the Chinese team missed three shots on the goal.

Shandong Taishan regained a two-goal separation from Kaya-Iloilo as Cryzan knocked in a right-footed shot from a difficult angle on the left to the bottom right corner in the 90+1 minute.

Kaya-Iloilo had a last opportunity to knock in a consolation goal, but Daizo Horikoshi’s free kick right-footed shot from outside the box was blocked by the wall defense of Shandong Taishan.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Philippine representatives, who managed to keep in step with the much taller Shandong Taishan players in the first half, only to crumble in the latter half.

The Colum Curtis-mentored Kaya-Iloilo will try to bounce back when they tangle with South Korea’s Incheon United FC at Sungui Arena Park on October 3 at 6:00 p.m./ASC, WDJ