Homegrown stars shine as Kaya stuns Shan in AFC Cup

Kaya-Iloilo vs Myanmar’s Shan United. AFC CUP PHOTO

Homegrown stars Jovin Bedic and Eric Giganto struck in the second half as Kaya-Iloilo stunned Myanmar League champion Shan United, 2-0, last Wednesday in the AFC Cup at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.

Born and bred in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, the captain Bedic converted a penalty in the 74th minute, before Giganto wrapped up the win with a lovely finish off an assist from Arnel Amita five minutes from time.

A day after Ceres-Negros opened its own bid in style at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Kaya kept the Philippine flag flying in the competition with a strong second half performance.

FULL-TIME | 🇲🇲 @fc_shan 0-2 @kayafc 🇵🇭

2nd half goals from Jovin Bedic and Eric Giganto secure all 3⃣ points for the visitors.#AFCCup2020 | #SHNvKAY pic.twitter.com/YBYMGleGd0

— #AFCCup (@AFCCup) February 12, 2020

The victory gave the Iloilo side top spot in Group H in the Asean zone, ahead of Tampines Rovers of Singapore and PSM Makassar of Indonesia, which are playing late Wednesday.

Coming on for Marwin Angeles in the 65th minute, Amita provided the spark at midfield for coach Yu Hoshide’s side, which stayed disciplined and compact defensively.

The Compostela Valley-born Amita won the penalty that was converted by Bedic, after he was fouled by Maximin Djawa.

Amita was also involved in the second goal, winning the ball at midfield, before poking a pass to the path of another Compostela Valley-born star in Giganto, who coolly slotted the ball past Thiha Sithu.