AFC: Defending champions end Kaya run

JOHOR BAHRU—Kaya’s impressive run in the 2016 AFC Cup came to a devastating end at the hands of defending champion Johor Dairul Ta’zim, which dealt the United Football League side a 7-2 beating Wednesday night at Larkin Stadium.

A hat trick from Argentine striker Juan Lucero helped carry the Malaysian champions to the quarterfinals while bundling out a Kaya side that got off to a promising start in the group stage.

Backed by a 30,000-strong crowd that cheered on the visitors’ every mistake, JDT put Kaya on the backfoot early, rolling to a 4-0 lead at the break, before the Filipinos scored through OJ Porteria early in the second half. Three unanswered goals by JDT snuffed out any hopes of a miraculous comeback before Antonio Ugarte scored a late consolation goal for Kaya.

Kaya’s defeat saw the end of road for Filipino sides in the tournament after Ceres-La Salle also suffered a Round of 16 exit following its 0-1 extra time loss to South China of Hong Kong at Panaad Stadium last Tuesday.

Lucero opened the scoring on 15 minutes after Kaya captain Aly Borromeo fouled him outside the box.

“The first goal we conceded really surprised us because we were not ready when it happened,” said Kaya coach Joel Villarino. “It was a very good experience against the defending champions. We tried our best, but our best was not good enough in the game of tactics.”