Stoppage strike saves Kaya bid

Kaya-Iloilo –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Joyce Onrubia came through with a dramatic goal near the death as Kaya-Iloilo secured a 1-1 draw over Iran’s Bam Khatoon on Wednesday to keep its chances of advancing to the knockout stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

On the brink of defeat, Onrubia struck the equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time as she was left unmarked on the right side of the box that allowed Kaya to split a point with the Iranian club at BG Stadium.

Kaya produced a second draw in as many matches to stay second in Group B with two points, trailing Australia’s Melbourne City, which has six points and ahead by one over Bam Khatoon, and Thailand’s College of Asian Scholars.

Kaya battled College of Asian Scholars to a goalless draw in its initial assignment last Sunday.

The 2023 Philippine Football Federation Women’s League champions face Melbourne City on Saturday, needing an upset win to secure its place in the last eight. The three group winners, three group runners-up and the two best third-placers will progress in the knockout phase of the inaugural Women’s Champions League.

Busy international sked

Kaya’s campaign is part of a busy international schedule for the Philippine football scene, with the men’s team taking on host Thailand in the King’s Cup and the Azkals opening their Asia 7s Championship stint at press time in Elmina, Malaysia.

Gerrit Holtmann is scheduled to make his comeback for the Philippines in the match that also serves as the debut of new coach Albert Capellas.

Capellas, the Catalonia-born former coach of Barcelona’s second team, has promised to bring an attractive style of play to the Philippine squad.

Meanwhile, the Azkals 7s were aiming to get two victories over Hong Kong and host Malaysia at EV Arena to kick off their campaign.

The Azkals, led by ex-national team captain Stephan Schrock, are in Group B with India, which they’ll face Friday to conclude the classification round.