AFC Challenge League
Kenji Nishioka’s first half goal secured Kim Versales’ men a slim advantage to defend in next week’s return leg.
Manila Digger’s Nishioka took the first shot at goal in the seventh minute when he burst down the centre unimpeded but his energetic run ended tamely when he shot wide of the right post.
The midfielder, however, made amends 13 minutes later when he picked up a cross from Pa Ousman Gai and, with the defence focused on the Gambian, came from behind to side-foot the ball from the centre past a slow-to-react Sonny Stevens.
The hosts could have doubled their advantage in the 29th minute if not for consecutive saves from Stevens, who turned away a close-range strike by Gai and then blocked a similar attempt from the midfielder moments later.
Dewa United’s strikeforce seemed unable to get going as Alex Martins and Hugo Gomes continuously fired blanks, the latter’s header from the centre easily handled by custodian Omar Njie and the former fumbling his shot from outside the six-yard box as any hopes of a first half equaliser vanished.
The second half got off to a sluggish start, with Manila Diggers choosing to sit deep with Dewa United - despite their best efforts, failing to find a breakthrough as Martins sent his header wide in the 58th minute while Ricky Kambuaya’s strike from inside the area was pushed away by Njie moments later.
Both sides continued to squander chances in a start-and-stop half, with the Indonesian outfit again threatening to level the score in the 87th minute, only for substitute Nick Kuipers to head over the bar in a packed goalmouth and Njie making a crucial save to deny Martins in time added on.
Manila Diggers held on to their lead until the end and Dewa United’s Johannes Olde knows his side will have to lift their game if they are to stand a chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
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