Kaya set to make history

Posted Tuesday, March 08, 2016 by Foxsports.com

In a crucial AFC Cup Group F encounter, New Radiant travel to the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium to face Kaya as the latter are poised to host their first ever AFC Cup group stage fixture.

Kaya currently occupy bottom spot in the group with zero points after a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kitchee two weeks ago. New Radiant are only a point better as they lie third in the group after an entertaining 2-2 draw with Balestier Khalsa in their opening AFC Cup tie.

Should either side lose tomorrow, it will be an uphill battle to qualify.

Joel Villarino, manager of the Philippine outfit, is excited by the opportunity to bring AFC Cup football to the club for the first time in their history.

"We will rely on the support of the Philippine fans and perform to the best of our abilities," said Villarino.

"What happened in Hong Kong against Kitchee was a good game. We will adjust a little more with our transition from defence to attack.

"We will use that momentum of the game against Kitchee against New Radiant. We are confident, but we respect all teams in the group and each game is not going to be easy."

New Radiant manager, Yordan Stoykov, was extremely complimentary of his side's opponents for tomorrow and insisted that all he wants to see is a strong performance from his men.

"Kaya are the best team in the group, so I am thinking it’s going to be a very hard game," said Stoykov.

"We want to show our best and achieve an acceptable result. We are expecting to see good, skilful football.

"We missed so many chances in our game against Balestier and I think we regret that game a little bit more than the Singaporean team."