Kaya Iloilo's home debut spoiled as Shandong wins 1st AFC Champions League match in PH

Shandong spoiled Kaya Iloilo's much anticipated AFC Champions League home debut. Kaya FC Iloilo

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The first match of the AFC Champions League in the Philippines belonged to Shandong Taishan.

Shandong turned things around midway through the second half en route to taking down Kaya Iloilo on the road, 3-1, on Tuesday night at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Just as the rain drenched the field, Shandong found its rhythm and showed its might against Kaya Iloilo even without former Manchester United star Marouane Fellaini.

Moises Lima first scored for Shandong as he hit a 63rd-minute penalty, and Matheus Pato blitzed past the Kaya Iloilo backline, including goalkeeper Quincy Kammeraad, and slotted a 71st-minute strike into the wide-open goalmouth.

Halftime substitute Jarvey Gayoso gave Kaya Iloilo a ray of hope as he caught Han Rongze napping and scored a 79-minute goal.

However, Cryzan Barcelos put the nail in the coffin for Shandong as he scored a goal from a tough angle at the left side of the penalty area in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

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