Philippines Football League side Ceres Negros FC is one game away from clinching a berth to the AFC Champions League 2020 group stage proper following a dramatic 1-0 win over Thai FA Cup winners Port FC in their Preliminary Stage Round 2 clash last Tuesday, 21 January 2020 at PAT Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ceres captain Stephan Schrock scored the marginal goal in the 51st minute. The midfielder’s cross to the box was parried by Port’s goalkeeper in to the back of the net.
The Thai side pressed on for an equalizer, but rued their chances as Ceres’ defense held on to preserve the win.
The three-time PFL champions will face J-League side FC Tokyo in the play-off round next week, 28 January 2020 at Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan. This will be the first time a professional club from the Philippines will face a professional club from Japan.
In the event that Ceres Negros advance to the AFC Champions League group stages, they will be in Group F grouped with Ulsan Hyundai of Korea Republic, Shanghai Shenhua of China PR, and Perth Glory of Australia.
Photo from Ceres Negros FC