Kaya-Iloilo’s slim hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two came to an end despite battling Group E leader Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan, 1-1, on Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Philippines Football League (PFL) titleholders took the lead in the first half on Shuto Komaki’s opener, but its bid to score an upset win was thwarted when the visitors produced the equalizer courtesy of Aren Inoue with more than 20 minutes before stoppage time.

By splitting a point, and with Sydney FC defeating Hong Kong’s Eastern Sports Club, 4-1, Kaya was eliminated from contention for the round-of-16 spots given to the group’s two best teams.

Article continues after this advertisement

Second-running Sydney climbed to nine points, five ahead of Kaya with one match day to go in the group stage.

It was the second straight match that Kaya produced points after beating Eastern in Hong Kong last Nov. 7.

Meanwhile, Dynamic Herb Cebu absorbed a 4-0 away loss to South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in Group H. Cebu remained at one point after five matches to remain at the bottom of the group.

Article continues after this advertisement

Kaya and Cebu will wrap up their continental campaigns on Dec. 5, with the former taking on Sydney on the road and the latter hosting Malaysian side Selangor FC at Rizal Memorial.

Both teams resume their PFL stints this weekend, with Cebu taking on Loyola FC and Kaya battling One Taguig at the same venue. INQ