ACL Two Pre-Match Press Conference | vs Kaya FC-Iloilo

The stage has been set. Our Stags return to the AFC Champions League Two after a commendable run in the group stages of the 2024/25 campaign. Drawn alongside FC Pohang Steelers, BG Pathum United and Kaya FC-Iloilo in Group H, the squad is eager to open the 2025/26 campaign on the front foot.

First up: Kaya FC-Iloilo. The reigning champions of the Philippines Football League and three-time winners overall will provide a stern first test. This will be the second time Our Stags face the Iloilo City-based club, and with the fixture ending in a goalless draw the previous time out in 2020, the team is determined to write a new chapter in the tournament.

Here are all the details from the pre-match press conference with Head Coach Noh Rahman and Trent Buhagiar:

On Team Preparations

Noh Rahman: Preparations have been good. We played a league game before we travelled up and so, we are ready to compete in this game.

On Kaya FC-Iloilo

Noh Rahman: Obviously in this competition, there will be no easy games. We go into this game with full respect for Kaya, and for what they have achieved last season. But again, we have every trust, and we have every belief in our own abilities (to get a result).

Trent Buhagiar: In this competition, every game is going to be hard but at the same time, we know that we are a good squad, with good staff behind us. We’ll go toe-to-toe with anything in this competition and hopefully we’ll do just fine.

On the 2025/26 Season

Noh Rahman: We started the season quite well. We won the Community Shield and the first Shopee Cup game. We hope that we can carry on this good momentum into the game, and bring that same momentum throughout the season.

Trent Buhagiar: We come into every game wanting to win. We want to get off to a good start in the AFC Champions League Two to put us on a good platform to move forward. We’ve done well so far and hopefully we can continue the form.

On the Inclement Weather in Capas

Noh Rahman: The field conditions will play a big part, but in every game, the team that adapts quickest to the environment should be able to win the game. While we hope that the weather turns out good, we are also prepared if the weather does not hold well. We just need to adapt, and control what we can control.