JDT edges Ceres-Negros in zonal semis first leg
LOCAL side Ceres-Negros FC fell in the first leg of its AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Semifinals to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), 3-2, last Wednesday in Malaysia. But despite the defeat, the Bacolod-based club did not lose much ground with the two away goals it was able to notch potentially proving themselves valuable in the end.
Ceres fell back early in its opening leg semis match with JDT at the latter’s Sri Dato’ Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Johor Bahur, with midfielder Gonzalo Cabrera connecting in the 18th minute.
The lead, however, proved to be short-lived for JDT as Ceres got back the goal it gave away via a Fernando Rodriguez header three minutes later.
Teammate Bienvenido Marañon then put Ceres ahead, 2- 1, in the 25th minute after curling a long- range shot that went past JDT goalkeeper Farizal Marlias.
But JDT would equalize right before the halftime break when midfielder Safiq Rahim found the bottom of the net in the 44th minute.
The two teams went back and forth to start the second half until forward Hazwan Bakri broke through in the 68th minute which wound up eventually as the gamewinning goal to give them the first-leg win.
While it was disappointed not being able to come up with the win, Ceres is still bullish of its chances heading into the second leg, happening on May 31 at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.
With the two away goals it was able to score, a 1- 0 result in the second leg is enough to thrust the club to the next round of the region’s secondary club football tournament hosted by the Asian Football Confederation.
Adding to it being high on its chances in playing in front of its hometown fans is the fact that it has yet to lose in Bacolod in the 2017 AFC Cup, tallying a twowin and one-draw record in home games in group play.
It was also able to record 11 goals in its matches at its turf. —