BG Pathum gives Kaya Iloilo rude ACL welcome at home

Kevin Ingreso and BG Pathum prevailed over Kaya Iloilo in the battle of debuting ACL clubs. AFC

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--BG Pathum United showed Kaya Iloilo how it is like playing in Asia's grandest club football competition with a 4-1 rout at the start of their AFC Champions League group stage campaign at the Leo Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand on Saturday night.

In a battle pitting first time ACL clubs, the Group F bubble host quickly went on the offensive that even forced Mike Casas to show why he is among the top Filipino goalkeepers right now with an emphatic save in the seventh minute.

BG Pathum's game plan was rewarded in the 23rd minute when Thailand international Teerasil Dangda scored on a follow-up after his first try was deflected only for the ball to go back to him.

Diogo Luis Santo joined Dangda in the scoreboard when he blew past the Kaya Iloilo backline and scored on a wide open 35th minute goal for the 2-0 count.

The bleeding worsened for Kaya Iloilo when Simone Rota was sent off after a hard foul on Luis Santo just as the second half commenced.

The red card led to a free kick goal from Luis Santo to make it 3-0.

Dangda finished the BG Pathum onslaught with a 59th minute goal off a Luis Santo dish.

Marwin Angeles scored the consolation goal for Kaya Iloilo in the 82nd minute, which set history as the first player to strike for a Filipino club in the ACL.

Despite the Kaya Iloilo loss, the Filipino football fans still have some reasons to smile as Azkals mainstay Kevin Ingreso played the full 90 minutes for BG Pathum at the midfielder spot.

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