SINGAPORES’S Home United defeated Ceres Negros, 2-1 to win the first-leg of the 2017 AFC Cup Asean Zonal Final Wednesday night at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
Hariss Harun’s late goal ensured Home United will take a slender lead into the second leg next Wednesday, August 9, at Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
The hosts opened the scoring on 11 minutes when Stipe Plazibat coolly slotted home from the spot after being upended by Fernando Rodriguez.
Ceres came back strongly as Kevin Ingreso and Rodriguez both had goals disallowed for offside, before captain Martin Steuble’s speculative 30-yard effort in first-half stoppage time bounced up awkwardly in front of goalkeeper Hassan Sunny and ended up in the back of the net as the sides went in level.
rFor the first time a Filipino football club was able to reach this far in the tournament. Ceres edged 2015 AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia to advance in this stage.
Busmen’s top scorer Bienvenido Marañon said they will focus from kick off until the final whistle as a mistake could eliminate them. Further, the Spanish striker reiterated that the game is very significant in the history of Ceres Football Club.
Fil-Australian midfielder Iain Ramsay said that making it into the Zonal final is already a big step for Philippine football.
The winner of this face-off will take on FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in the inter-zone semi-finals. FC Istiklol advanced to the next round after defeating Altyn Asyr in extra time.(With reports from HGD)