Klimala brace tows Sydney FC triumph over Kaya FC

c/o AFC

Kaya FC-Iloilo suffered back-to-back defeats in AFC Champions League Two action on Thursday night, bowing to Sydney FC, 1-4, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The PFL champions managed to start off strong, with captain Audie Menzi finding Daizo Horikoshi for a textbook finish after three minutes.

Caught off guard, the A-League side gathered themselves and tried to find an answer, eventually securing the equalizer after 26 minutes.

Joe Lolley would take advantage of Simone Rota's error in clearance, sending a shot past Walid Essafi to tie things us.

Both sides had efforts to secure a second goal before the break, with best opportunities coming from the visitors.

A Douglas Costa shot from distance in the 35th minute went just wide of the left post, while Lolley's attempt off a setup from Rhyan Grant was deflected before being eventually saved by Essafi.

Kaya did have a chance to add to the tally, but a Yi-Young Park's free kick was slightly off target.

The second half proved to be a different story, as Sydney decided to increase the tempo, eventually cracking the Kaya FC defense.

Costa sent a looping cross that a Patryk Klimala header powers past Essafi in the 59th minute to give Sydney the lead. The Pole then would double his tally four minutes later, receiving a cross from Anas Ouahim and then volleying it home from a reverse angle.

Capping off the victory is a injury-time strike from substitute Nathan Amanatidis in stoppage time, securing his first goal for the club.

With back-to-back wins, Sydney FC is now atop Group E with six points, while Kaya FC remains without a point heading into the start of its Philippines Football League campaign this weekend.