By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

FACING what arguably its biggest test to date in football club competition, Ceres-Negros FC veterans Roland Muller and James Younghusband hope their team gets to sustain their competitive form in the AFC Champions League 2020 preliminary stages to achieve what no other Philippine club has done before — advance to the main draw of the prestigious Asian tournament.

The “Busmen” are set to face Japanese team FC Tokyo in an away AFC Champions League Qualification Playoffs match on Jan. 28, where a victory pushes them to the group stage of the tournament for the first time.

It is an opportunity whose significance is not lost to the Bacolod-based club, especially being in the same situation back in 2018.

While they have been showing some lapses here in there in two earlier matches in the preliminary stage, both Messrs. Muller and Younghusband said they like what they are seeing, by and large, and are hoping they get to sustain, if not build on, their performance as a team as they collide with FC Tokyo.

“We have had two different teams [to date]. The first game we dominated, especially in the first half but the second half it was made difficult for us but we showed the will to win. In the second game, we knew Port was a tough team and we respect them but we saw our chances and went for them. In general it was a big team performance for us,” said veteran goalkeeper Muller, who has been instrumental in their 3-2 and 1-2 victories over Shan United of Myanmar and Port FC of Thailand in the first and second round, respectively.

He is seconded by Mr. Younghusband, who underscored how the team has be united throughout the process and working hard in training and in the games themselves, finding ways to win.

“… The great thing about this club is that it is united, everyone is supporting one another on and off the field and is excited to make history. Everyone has been fantastic, working their socks off to achieve success,” said Mr. Younghusband, who is playing in his first AFC Champions League tournament.

Both players said they are looking forward to playing Tokyo FC tomorrow albeit recognize that they will have their hands full.

“We’re happy to go through the first two games. The third round is going to be difficult. Tokyo is an organized team. Tactically they are a good team and I’m looking forward to playing this game and expect a big game against a big opponent,” said the Ceres keeper.

“To play Tokyo is an honor. They have competing at a high level against tough competition and these are the teams you want to compete against to see where you are,” Mr. Younghusband, for his part, said.

The Ceres-FC Tokyo match is set for 6 p.m. (Manila time) at the Tokyo Stadium.

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