Lao Toyota FC midfielder Soma Otani (2nd from left) and Kaya FC-Iloilo defender Shirmar Felongco (2nd from right) meet with their respective head coaches Jun Fukuda (left) and Noel Marcaida during the pre-match press conference at Luxur Place in Bacolod City on Monday night. (PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver)
BACOLOD CITY -- Kaya FC-Iloilo is looking to bounce back from its loss in a previous home match as it takes on Lao Toyota FC in the AFC Cup 2019 at the Panaad Park and Stadium come Tuesday afternoon.
Head coach Noel Marcaida said the team will focus on their objective and maximize the opportunities to win the crucial three points.
“It’s very important, for us to go through the next round, we need to win our next two games,” Marcaida said during the pre-match press conference held at Luxor Place on Monday night.
In Group H, Kaya FC is currently on the third spot, with five points, behind Indonesia’s PSM Makassar, which leads with eight points, and Singapore’s Home United with seven points.
Lao Toyota, with only one point, is considered eliminated but still pose a threat. The visitors’ first encounter with the Filipino club in Vientiane ended in a 1-1 draw.
“My players are ready. They are looking forward to the remaining games in the elimination stage,” Marcaida said.
Kaya FC will be playing without one of its top scorers, Jovin Bedic, and defender Jalsor Soriano, who are serving suspensions.
“It’s a big loss, but we were able to come up with a solution. We have other players who are performing well,” sqid the Kaya FC head coach.
Defender Shirmar Felongco, who came from an injury, said he is excited to play his first match in this year’s AFC Cup.
“We need to focus and not be distracted. We just have to bounce back,” he said.
Lao Toyota FC head coach Jun Fukuda said Wednesday’s game could have a different outcome from their first match against Kaya FC since the players of both teams are not the same.
“From the start, we try to get good result. Not only for our team, but also because we expect to improve for Lao football,” he added. (PNA)
