Ilonggo first to score in AFC Champions League group stage

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Jovin Bedic of Kaya FC-Iloilo made history as the first Ilonggo to score in the 2021 AFC Champions League group stage tournament.

In a thrilling match against South Korean heavyweight football team Ulsan Hyundai FC, Bedic was able to find an opening and equalized the match, 1-1, in the 47^th minute of their fourth AFC group stage match.

Despite the heroics of the native of Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, Kaya FC still could not deliver their first win of the prestigious tournament and lost to Ulsan FC, 2-1.

Since the first day of the AFC group stage, Kaya FC struggled with their defense and already absorbed their fourth loss out of the six scheduled matches.

Iloilo still found a silver lining in the loss as they showed improvement in their offensive sets against Ulsan FC and are looking to shift things as they seek revenge against BG Pathum United tomorrow.

The Thai powerhouse pro squad got the better of the Iloilo-based team as they ran over Kaya FC, 4-1, on the first day of the AFC group stage.

Meanwhile, the other qualifiers from the Philippines, the United City FC (formerly Ceres Negros), are yet to win one game in the group stage as they fell to three losses and one draw record.