AFTER Ceres Negros FC drew first blood in Leg-1 of the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals by defeating Yangon United FC of Myanmar, 4-2, on Wednesday, May 9, at the Panaad Park and Stadium, Coach Risto Vidakovic expressed concern of the weather when they play the second leg on May 16 at 5 p.m. (Philippine time) in Thuwunna Stadium.
Expected temperature in Yangon is 36 degrees Celsius.
"The condition is very disadvantageous for us but, we will do our best to win," said Vidakovic, who is looking for a back-to-back Asean Zonal finals appearance.
"Man of the Match" Bienvenido Marañon said though it would be difficult for them to play in a hotter weather in Yangon, but would not prevent them from doing their best to win. "We will go there and fight. We have to be prepared more going to the finals," he added.
Yangon Coach Myo Min Tun is eyeing a 2-0 edge for them when they play at home.
In Busmen's win, Marañon opened Ceres FC's first goal on a breakaway goal in the 29th minute when he lobbed the ball over Yangon's keeper Sann Sat Naing.
Patrick Reichelt, who missed last year's semis due to a knee injury, doubled the lead on a rebound shot in the 33rd minute off a Mike Ott's parried shot.
Marañon got his second goal in the 44th minute to extend Busmen's lead to 3-nil at the half.
Star striker Sekou Sylla brought Yangon back in the game in the 55th minute with a lightning strike from 10 yards beating the Ceres defense, and Ceres FC keeper Toni Doblas failed to react.
Ceres FC defender Manuel "Super" Herrera sent a header in the 63rd minute off a corner from Manny Ott for a 4-1 advantage but Sylla got his second goal in the 83rd minute.
Vidakovic said the opponent has dominated the second half, especially on the defensive end. "Yangon forced a little bit higher, they played us with long balls which is a bit challenging for Ceres players who are not so tall," he said. "But, I am still happy with the result of the game as our team did their best to win."
Ceres is expected to win or at least draw in Myanmar as Yangon and the Busmen have similar four-point aggregates.
