Kaya FC-Iloilo forward Jordan Mintah (right) celebrates one of his three goals with his team mates during their match against Lao Toyota FC at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City on Tuesday afternoon (April 30, 2019). The Filipino squad thrashed the visitors, 5-1, to move up the second spot in Group H of the AFC Cup 2019. (Photo from the AFC Cup Twitter account)
BACOLOD CITY -- Kaya FC-Iloilo climbed to the second spot in Group H of the AFC Cup 2019 after a convincing 5-1 triumph and eliminating Lao Toyota FC.
The win at the Panaad Park and Stadium here on Tuesday afternoon gave the hosts another three points to earn a total of eight after two wins, two draws and a loss, and a chance of advancing to the next round.
Indonesia’s PSM Makassar, now with 11 points, kept its hold on the top spot after defeating Home United of Singapore on the same day. The latter, still with seven points, replaced Kaya FC in third place.
“With this result, we move forward and prepare for our game against Home United on the 14th of May,” said Kaya FC head coach Noel Marcaida in the post-match press conference.
In assessing their latest win, Marcaida lauded his players’ outstanding performance on the pitch, which came only three days after their successful match against Green Archers United in the Philippine Premier League opener.
“I’m happy for my boys. It was hardwork from start to finish. It was a convincing win,” he said.
“I had the feeling that once we score the first goal, it will just continue, and I have players like Jordan Mintah, who are hungry to get that goal,” he added.
Kaya FC, powered by Mintah’s hat trick and a goal apiece from Connor Tacagni and Yannick Tuason, dominated Lao Toyota in the match that manifested the intensity of the Iloilo-based squad.
“I put emphasis on focusing to get the first goal and to continue the intensity and to keep it moving. We had to make a lot of movements to create a lot of chances to score,” Marcaida said.
Mintah, who was named “Man of the Match”, was elated to have propelled his team to victory by scoring three goals.
“I’m so happy, I’m very happy. I give thanks to God because the last four games were hard for me. (But) I don’t give up, I keep on praying,” said the Kaya FC forward, who hails from Ghana.
Meanwhile, Lao Toyota head coach Jun Fukuda said that although they have been eliminated, their stint served as an opportunity for the Lao players to improve their game and get more experience. (PNA)
