By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

CERES-NEGROS FC retained its undefeated record in the ongoing 2018 AFC Cup group play after it defeated Shan United FC in Yangon, 1-0, on Wednesday to get the full three points and pad its record to a Group F-leading three wins and a draw with 10 points.

But while they have been solid in the tournament to date, Ceres coach Risto Vidacovic said the work continues for them if they are to go far.

“For us, we got the three points but we still need to grow. Congratulations to the players for getting the result,” said Mr. Vidacovic following their game played in scorching Yangon weather.

Forward Bienvenido Maranon scored the lone goal for Ceres off a penalty at the 14th minute and tried to build on it the rest of the way.

The team was not able to score anymore after that but it proved to be enough to secure the win in the game that had it being tested on defense in some stretches by the home team.

“They didn’t score but they also have chances and we missed some goals also. For me, it was very important we didn’t allow any goals,” Mr. Vidacovic was quoted as saying by the Ceres Web site.

Ceres is now perched on top of its grouping after four matches and with two games left in its schedule.

Home United FC (2-1-1) of Singapore is running second with seven points followed by Shan United (1-0-3) at third with three points and Boeung Ket Angkor (1-0-3) of Cambodia also with three points.

Ceres next plays on April 11 against Boeung Ket in Phnom Penh.

GLOBAL FINALLY WINS
Also coming out victorious this week was Global Cebu FC, which finally barged into the win column in Group G.

Played at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, Global got the better of Yangon United FC, 2-1, on Tuesday night, thanks to a late goal by Rufo Sanchez.

Held to a goalless tie in the first half, Global got it going in the second with Darryl Roberts getting the home team on the board at the 79th minute.

Yangon United leveled the count at the 90th minute care of Lwin Maung Maung.

Global though would have the last laugh as Rufo broke through in the last play of the match off a penalty kick to book the win.

The victory was the first for Global (1-1-2) in the tournament and pushed them to four points, good for joint third with FLC Thanh Hoa (1-1-2).

Yangon United (3-0-1) is still on top of the group despite the loss with nine points with Bali United FC (1-2-1) in second with five points.

“This is a big win for us to at least have our confidence back after a tough start to the tournament. We still have a mountain to climb but it’s not impossible,” said Global coach Marjo Allado.

Next for Global is a rematch with Thanh Hoa here in Manila on April 11.

As per tournament format, in the group stage only the top team is assured of automatic qualification to the next round with the team with the best runner-up record among the rest of the groupings in the end advancing as well.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR