DRAMATIC MATCH. Indonesia’s PSM Makassar dominated the Philippines’ Kaya FC-Iloilo, 2-1, in a drama-filled match in Group H of the AFC Cup 2019 at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City on Wednesday afternoon (April 17, 2019). The Indonesian squad handed the Filipino club its first loss, to lead with eight points in Group H of the AFC Cup 2019. (Photo from the AFC Cup Twitter account)
BACOLOD CITY -- Kaya FC-Iloilo dropped to third spot after scoring a lone goal against PSM Makassar’s two in a highly physical match that saw both teams down to 10 men each through the second half.
Playing under the sweltering heat at the Panaad Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, the Indonesian squad handed the Filipino club its first loss, to lead with eight points in Group H of the AFC Cup 2019.
Kaya FC remains with five points and was overtaken by Singapore’s Home United, which took the second spot with seven points after defeating Lao Toyota of Laos later on the same day.
Noel Marcaida, the hosts’ head coach, said they had trouble breaking the opponent’s defensive line despite dominating the second half.
“That was our big problem. All throughout that second half, we failed to identify the space in between. It took us so long to get that first goal,” Marcaida said in the post-game interview.
PSM Makassar scored the opening goal in the 21st minute, courtesy of Rizky Pellu.
Three minutes later, Eero Markkanen found the back of the net to give the visitors a 2-0 edge in the first half.
In the second half, PSM’s Abdul Rahman was sent off in the 53rd after picking up a second yellow card for bringing down Jordan Mintah at the edge of the box.
By the 88th, Kaya FC was also down to 10 men after Jalsor Soriano was shown a red card for kicking a downed Marc Klok.
Two minutes later, Mintah was brought down inside the box, and the home side was awarded a penalty that Jovin Bedic buried for Kaya FC’s lone goal.
For its third and last home game, Kaya FC will face Lao Toyota at the Panaad Stadium on April 30. (PNA)
