TOP LOCAL CLUB Ceres-Negros FC resumes its 2019 AFC Cup bid today. Hosting Vietnamese champion Hanoi FC in the first leg of their two-legged ASEAN Zone semifinal today at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.
Advanced to the next round of the Asian Football Confederation tournament by topping Group G in classification play, the “Busmen” try to advance to the zonal final for the third straight year by getting the better of Hanoi in their pairing.
Ceres will be at full strength when it takes on Hanoi, with a roster that includes tournament top scorer Bienvenido Maranon, Martin Steuble and Stephan Schrock.
Facing one of the best teams in Southeast Asia in Hanoi, Mr. Maranon said they are not expecting anything easy in the semifinals.
“I am looking forward to facing them. I know they have one of the best squads in Southeast Asia and both home and away matches are sure to be difficult,” Mr. Maranon was quoted as saying by the official AFC Website as saying in the lead-up.
The first leg of the of the Ceres-Hanoi ASEAN Zone semifinals will kick off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live over 5-Plus and FOX Sports.
Second leg of the semifinals will be played in Vietnam at the Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on June 25. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
