Manila Digger made a flying start to their AFC Challenge League Group E campaign with a 5-0 win over Kasuka FC at the Thuwunna Football Stadium on Sunday.
Goals from Assan Badjie and David Sambou put the Philippine side in early control, with three more goals in the second half sealing an emphatic victory against Brunei Darussalam’s Kasuka.
Manila Digger were the early aggressors with Baboucarr Touray firing wide from inside the box following a set-piece, before the Gambian midfielder turned provider in the 19th minute by setting up Saikou Ceesay, whose header was kept out by Kasuka goalkeeper Jack Landreth.
Ceesay was denied once more in the 26th minute, with Landreth saving his close-range effort at the expense of a corner but the pressure finally paid off a minute later.
Badjie met Touray’s delivery from the corner, heading home from close range to give Manila Digger the lead.
Manila Digger doubled their advantage in the 39th minute following a set-piece situation with Touray sending a looping cross to Edward Ndecky, who had his shot blocked by Jack Landreth but Sambou knocked home the rebound from close range.
Landreth prevented further damage just before the break, keeping out Dylan De Bruycker’s effort from a tight angle in the 44th minute before denying Ceesay seconds later.
Manila Digger picked up from where they left off after the break, with De Bruycker thumping home a loose ball following Ceesay’s cross in the 49th minute, with the Gambian forward adding a fourth two minutes later.
Ceesay reacted with a diving header from inside the six-yard-box after Landreth palmed De Bruycker’s effort into his path following a short corner.
A misplaced pass from Landreth gifted the Philippines side their fifth in the 63rd minute, with Dilane Dilane Wamba Tafem pouncing on the loose ball and exchanging passes with Touray before coolly finishing past Landreth.
Kasuka will play Myanmar’s Shan United next on Wednesday, with Manila Digger taking on New Taipei City Hang Yuan FC of Chinese Taipei.
RESULTS
Manila Digger (Phi) bt Kasuka (Bru) 5-0
Borneao FC (Ind) bt Yangon United (Mya) 2-0
Shan United (Mya) drew New Taipei City Hang Yuan (Tpe) 1-1
Qadsia (Kuw) bt Fortis (Ban) 3-0
Al-Ansar (Lbn) bt Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo (Syr) 2-0
