Philippine clubs Ceres Negros FC and Global Cebu FC made their mark in the AFC Cup once again. The two clubs posted convincing wins in yesterday’s AFC Cup group stage action.
Ceres Negros delivered a memorable performance in Group G over ten-man Hanoi FC with a 6-2 win last night at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod, Negros Occidental. The win puts Ceres back on top of Group G with eight points and ahead of Hanoi on head-to-head.
Ceres came to the match in the hopes of reviving their AFC Cup campaign following their 3-0 defeat at the hands of Felda United two weeks ago.
Bienvenido Maranon broke the deadlock for the home side in the 13th minute. The forward scored from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the box. Kevin Ingreso doubled the advantage eight minutes later to give Ceres a commanding 2-0 lead early in the match.
Hanoi answered back with a Pham Thanh Luong free kick to trim the lead. However, the Negros side flipped the switch in the second half to the delight of the hometown fans.
Fernando Rodriguez restored Ceres’ two goal lead six minutes in to the second half with a clinical strike from just outside the box.
Hanoi were reduced to ten men in the 62nd minute. Hoang Vu Samson was sent off for violent conduct after an altercation with defenders Manuel Herrera and Kota Kawase. Hanoi’s night turned for the worse as defender Alvaro Silva scored an own goal to make it 4-1.
The visitors had another lifeline late in the match as Do Hung Dung reduced the lead following a penalty kick in the 86th minute, but Jason de Jong and Maranon ensured the home crowd witness a comprehensive performance from the club.
In the other AFC Cup match, Global Cebu left it late to defeat Burmese side Magwe, 4-2, at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar.
It was Global’s fourth win of the group stages and puts them on top of Group F with 12 points, two points clear of second placed Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Fresh from their 3-2 upset of Johor two weeks ago, Global fell behind to their opponents via a 38th minute opener from Naing Naing Kyaw.
Global had to wait until the 72nd minute to draw level. Hikaru Minegishi scored off the rebound after Matthew Hartmann’s initial effort was blocked.
Darryl Roberts provided two quick goals in the 81st and 83rd minutes to hand Global the lead. Shu Sasaki completed the comeback with a fourth goal in the 89th minute. Magwe claimed a late consolation with a Naing Lin Tun goal right before full-time.
Both Philippine clubs have one more match left in the AFC Cup group stage in their bid to advance to the ASEAN zonal semifinals.
Global hosts Cambodian side Boeung Ket Angkor at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, while Ceres will play Tampines Rovers at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore. Both games will be held on 3 May.
Photos from: ceresfootball.com and the-afc.com
