Ceres, Kaya stun Singapore sides to lead AFC Cup groups

BACOLOD CITY – Filipino clubs Ceres-La Salle and Kaya inched closer to the knockout stage of the AFC Cup after prevailing over Singapore sides Tuesday night.

Adrian Gallardo and Bienvenido Maranon scored from the penalty spot as Ceres-La Salle recorded a narrow 2-1 win over Tampines Rovers to climb to the top of Group E at Panaad Stadium.

Maranon and Gallardo beat Tampines goalkeeper Joey Sim from the spot, giving the home side the cushion it needed as Ceres improved to eight points, vaulting ahead of Tampines at the top of the group.

Substitute Billy Mehmet pulled a goal back in the 64th minute, but the home side proved resolute defensively to pick up maximum points while pinning a first loss on the S-League side.

Over at Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, Kaya extended its winning streak to three matches after a 3-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa.

National team standout Kenshiro Daniels, Alfred Osei and Louis Clark found the back of the net for Kaya, which jacked up its tally to nine points from four matches. Kaya also beat Balestier, 1-0, at home last
March 15.

It was Ceres’ maiden victory at home in the competition, but more importantly, the Bacolod side put itself in a strong position to qualify out of the group that also includes Malaysia’s Selangor which beat Sheikh Jamal of Bangladesh at home, 2-1.

“It’s a blessing for us (being on top of the group),” said Ceres coach Franklin Muescan. “The players were really determined to get the win and our handwork paid off.”

Muescan added: “If you’re leading two goals at home in the first half, its natural that level goes down, but we maintained our organization in defense and our goalkeeper made some crucial saves. With the
mindset and preparation of the players, we know we can get three points at home.

Kickoff was delayed for an hour due to thunder and lightning, but Ceres took the game to the visitors, winning a penalty in the 21st minute when Tampines defender Kwon Jun was called for handball inside the box.

Cool and composed, Maranon stepped up to send Sim the wrong way to give Ceres the advantage.

The Singapore side almost equalized five minutes later when Fazrul Nawaz got on the end of a free kick only for Ceres goalkeeper Michael Casas to palm the ball away to safety.

Gallardo doubled the lead in the 36th minute, after Kwon was called for a foul on the Spanish striker inside the area.

The S-League side sustained the pressure with Casas once again called into action nine minutes later, palming away a cross from substitute Jordan Webb.

Mehmet gave the Singaporean club a lifeline in the 64th minute, leaving Casas rooted in his spot with a delicate chip to trim the deficit, 1-2.

Manny Ott created Ceres’ best chance of the second half, setting up a surging Maranon inside the area. But the Spanish winger managed a tamed effort straight at Sim.

A visibly disappointed Tampines coach V. Sundram Moorthy rued the two penalties that were slapped against his side.

“It was the referees call so what can I say?,” said the Tampinescoach. “Both teams are in a level playing field even though we started the game late. The delay didn’t really affect us. I mean I put an attacking lineup but we got called for two penalties so what can I say.”