Darryl Roberts, Alfred Osei power Kaya over Singapore

MANILA, Philippines — Kaya FC Iloilo played its first home match after a three-year absence in the AFC Cup and made sure it delivered a five-star performance. Sparked by the two-goal explosions of Darryl Roberts and Alfred Osei, Kaya overwhelmed reigning Asean zonal champ Home United of Singapore, 5-0, to mark a winning return on home ground and take pole position in Group H Wednesday at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod.

Counting the draw in the opener in Laos, Kaya now has four points and a goal difference of five, enough to pace fellow four-pointer PSM Makassar of Indonesia on GD in the group table.

“This victory really means a lot to us,” said Iloilo coach Noel Marcaida, whose club played an emotional outing in the fixture held at their “adopted” hub, Panaad. “Not only is it a gift for our boss, (team owner) Santi Araneta, who celebrated his birthday two days ago and for (keeper) Mike Casas, who celebrated yesterday, it’s for one of our players whose mom is in critical condition.”

The Iloilo booters notched their first home win in the AFC Cup since a 1-0 verdict over another S-League side, Balesbier Khalsa, three years ago to the date at Rizal Memorial Stadium. 

Roberts touched things off with a header from close range just two minutes in, then the Phl Cup titlists foiled the equalizer with a goal-line clearance.

Roberts served as the assist-man in the second goal, feeding skipper Joven Bedic, then returned to gun-man again as he fired a close-range finish off Connor Tacagni’s low cross to make it a 3-nil contest after the first 45.

Later, Osei slammed the ball into the top corner off a rebound, then putting the game beyond Home’s reach with a clinical volley.