Ceres-Negros edges Kaya FC in Bacolod thriller
CERES-Negros FC had a rousing victory in the Philippines Football League’s (PFL) return at the weekend, beating Kay FCMakati, 3-2, in a thriller held last Saturday at the Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.
Despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half, the “Busmen” hung tight and were rewarded accordingly with Fernando Rodriguez completing a brace and providing the go- ahead goal in injury time to hand his team the victory and the full three points.
Kaya was first to the board as Jordan Mintah scored off a cross from teammate Robert Mendy in the third minute of the rainsoaked contest.
The host though would equalize seven minutes later care of a Bienvenido Maranon header.
Ceres would then seize the lead in the 15th minute after Mr. Rodriguez connected on his first goal of the night.
Kaya tried to answer back immediately but Ceres goalkeeper Roland Muller was quick to foil Mr. Mintah’s potential scoretying shot.
The two teams then ground it out in the wet conditions thereafter but no more goals were to be scored in the opening half, leaving Ceres with a 2-1 lead by the halftime break.
Second half had both clubs getting more aggressive as they looked to set the tone.
Kaya was once again first to the scoreboard with Alfred Osei taking advantage of a scramble in the Ceres box to level the count at 2-2 in the 56th minute.
Ceres contested the goal, saying the play should not have continued. But its protest went for naught as the referee ruled it as a good goal. Worse for the home team, it saw its coach Risto Vidacovic sent off because of too much complaining.
The teams continued to battle it out after only for Ceres to find itself at a disadvantage anew in the windup as Jeffrey Christaens was ejected from the match for a second yellow card that reduced his team to 10 men.
Undeterred, the Busmen would continue to fight it out in front of their home fans.
In the 94th minute, Mr. Rodriguez broke through for Ceres as he slotted the gamewinner.
With the hard-fought victory, Ceres said it was very happy to be on top of things in the end.
“About the players, we are very proud (that) they fight. The field was so wet and we adapted so good to the pitch,” said Ceres assistant coach Pepe Losada after the game.
For Kaya, it took the loss as it is and vowed to learn from its lessons moving forward.
“It’s not the end of the world. We still have four more games [ left in the regular season],” said Kaya coach Noel Marcaida.
Their latest victory pushed Ceres (12-2-3) to 38 points, good for third place to date, while Kaya (12-5-7) stayed stuck at 41 points.
FC Meralco Manila (13-6-3), which drew with Stallion Laguna FC, 0-0, also last Saturday, is still on top of the standings with 45 points.
Prior to the PFL’s return at the weekend, it took a break to give way to the national team in its preparation and match against Yemen in the AFC Asian Cup. —