Kaya FC-Iloilo head coach Colum Curtis expressed his gratitude to the club yesterday despite the team’s inability to earn points in its winless Asian Football Confederation Champions League campaign.
Speaking after the club’s 1-3 loss to Incheon United FC at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium last Wednesday, the 34-year-old coach said it was all worth it.
“I enjoyed it. It has been fantastic for me. It would have been nice to get some points on the board in the Champions League but I couldn’t have asked any more from my players in my whole time here,” said Curtis, whose appointment was announced last August.
The Lions failed to notch a single win in six matches.
“Every training session, every game, they gave everything and I’m thankful to the club, the players and the Philippines for a wonderful welcome.”
While Kaya might have not gotten a win in the Champions League, it still brought home silverware after dominating the 2023 Copa Paulino Alcantara.
Under Curtis, whose contract with the team expires in December, the Lions went undefeated in 10 games highlighted by their 1-1 (4-3) victory over Davao Aguilas-UMak FC in the final.
Kaya winger Jarvey Gayoso said Curtis’ energy rubbed off on them and it was used in their domestic and continental tournaments.
