CERES Negros FC and Kaya FC Iloilo's face-off at Iloilo Sports Complex on Saturday ended in a one-all draw.
Playing in a wet field in front of more than 2,000 fans and supporters from both sides, the Busmen started aggressively with several attempts inside the box from Patrick Reichelt, OJ Porteria, Takumi Uesato and Stephan Schröck.
Kaya, having a good first half too with a solid defense led by keeper Nathaniel Ace Villanueva, ran its own counter-attack with Jovin Bedic and Robert Mendy Lopez.
Ceres FC Spanish defenders Super Herrera and Carli de Murga and keeper Toni Doblas also kept their goal well-protected.
The Busmen has their clear chance in the middle of the first half when Reichelt passed to Schröck who was clipped by Masanari Omura inside the box. There was no call from the referee and Uesato took a shot from the top of the box straight to Kaya keeper Villanueva.
After a scoreless first half, the Busmen got a clear chance to break the deadlock when Schröck sent a cross to Uesato near the mouth of the goal but missed a solid finish as the ball was clipped by Villanueva.
A Ceres defensive blunder resulted to a Robert Mendy's goal in the 80th minute after beating Herrera on the counter before lobbing the ball over Doblas. Minutes later Kevin Ingreso scored the equalizer.
Both sides tried hard to connect in the three-minute added time but no one scored for the needed three point.
Ceres FC Coach Risto Vidakovic said it was a tough match but aired his frustrations after seeing his players suffered injuries every match. "We just came to play football. I don't know. But, it's very difficult for the players because they don't feel any protection and nothing is given. We're only trying to win with football, nothing else. I hope the other clubs, they will also do the same," he stressed.
"Man of the Match" Mendy Lopez responded on the physicality of the match, saying this is football and if you don't want to be hurt – stay at home.
Kaya FC mentor Noel Marcaida is hoping that they get the three points in their next match on Wednesday at home.
With Ceres Negros still leading by nine points over No.2 Kaya FC, they still have seven remaining fixtures in this league while Iloilo has eight more games.
