Hong Kong’s Kitchee frustrates Kaya

Filipino side Kaya fell short in its AFC Cup debut, bowing to Hong Kong side Kitchee, 0-1, at the start of Group F play Tuesday night at Mongkok Stadium.

A penalty kick in the 69th minute from Spanish striker Rufino Segovia off a controversial foul called on Junior Muñoz proved to be the difference.

Kaya will still play Baliester Khalsa of Singapore and New Radiant of Maldives in a double-round Group F. The top two teams from the group advance to the last 16.

“I felt the players executed the game plan very well and if it wasn’t for some dubious officiating, we could have come away from a very tough game against a great Kitchee side with a draw or even more,” said Kaya playing coach Chris Greatwich.

“I am extremely proud to work with this group and hopefully this serves as a message to everyone that we can do very well in this competition if we play like we did last night.”

Proving that they deserve to play in the competition, the UFL Cup champions defended stoutly for most of the match against a Kitchee side that reached the quarterfinals last season, while carving out a few chances including one from Aly Borromeo early in the second half.

The Kaya skipper rose highest to meet a corner kick from Kenshiro Daniels only for Kitchee goalkeeper Guo Jianquiao to palm the ball away.

Joven Bedic also managed a timid left footed effort to test Jianquiao as Kaya chased an equalizer. Bedic beat the offside trap to latch on to an aerial ball from teammate Antonio Ugarte only to send his shot over the crossbar late in the first half.

Kitchee finally broke the deadlock as Lam Ka Wei was brought down inside the box by Muñoz. Replays showed Lam went down easily on Muñoz’s challenge. Cedelf P. Tupas