Thai club champ manhandles Kaya

–Kaya-Iloilo FC

Kaya-Iloilo’s struggles in the international front continued on Thursday after being handed a brutal 7-0 away defeat by Thai League champion Buriram United in the Asean Club Championship.

The Philippines Football League (PFL) titleholders went down at Chang Arena in Buriram, one week after opening its campaign in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Two (ACL 2) campaign with a 3-0 loss to Japan’s Sanfreece Hiroshima.

Buriram opted not to field Neil Etheridge as goalkeeper, denying the chance for the veteran national team mainstay to face off with the Philippine club.

It’s the second straight setback for Kaya in the Asean tournament, commercially known as the Shopee Cup, as the PH club now shifts its attention on the domestic front with the PFL’s 2024-25 season set to begin this weekend.

Kaya won’t be playing on both days at Rizal Memorial Stadium, but its expected challengers for the title are looking to begin the season on a bright note.

Davao Aguilas-University of Makati plays Loyola FC at 4 p.m. and Stallion Laguna meets Maharlika Taguig at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Dynamic Herb Cebu, which also plays in the ACL 2, meets Mendiola FC 1991 before One Taguig FC battles Manila Digger the following day.

Ten clubs will participate in the league that will implement a double-round schedule, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs known as the Finals Series.