IF CERES Negros FC still has some ace cards left in its pocket, it's time for them to lay it all tomorrow against Malaysian Johor Darul Ta'zim FC for the AFC Asean Zonal semifinals Leg 2 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
It's a do-or-die situation for the home team. They need to pour all they got to survive and advance to the Asean Zonal finals.
Johor is coming over with an edge over Ceres after a 3-2 escape back home and only need a draw to move forward to the next stage.
Ceres FC, however, is undefeated at home and is expected to deliver another superb performance before the jampacked crowd of 9,000 in the stadium.
Ceres Negros FC administrator Nicholas Golez said Panaad Stadium is special for Ceres FC since it gives 20 to 30 percent of the team's efforts because of the home crowd, scoring 11 goals against Singapore and Vietnam.
Golez reiterated the optimism the home team can pull a win behind AFC topscorer Bienvenido Marañon.
"I believe we can beat them at Panaad. We are playing with heart as we represent the province and the Philippines," he said.
Golez admitted, however, that the JDT aren't pushovers being former AFC Cup champions and among the best in the Southeast Asia.
Marañon, for his part, is confident of a positive result at the Panaad in front of their fans.
"It will be a really good game. We have to win and I think we can for sure do very well in Bacolod in front of our supporters," he added.
Meanwhile, tickets for Wednesday's match will be distributed at 4 p.m. today at the Panaad Secretariat.
However, it will only be limited due to ticket allocation for the day. (HGD)