Ceres gets underdog tag versus Tampines

BACOLOD CITY—Ceres-Negros slips into the underdog role as it takes on a familiar foe in Singapore’s Tampines Rovers on Tuesday night in Group G of the AFC Cup at Panaad Stadium here.

Match sharpness will be a concern for Ceres coach Risto Vidakovic as his side has only managed one tuneup match—against JP Voltes—last week in preparation for the clash with the S-League side.

Like most clubs in the country, Ceres is still waiting for the start of the Philippines Football League in April and Ceres captain Martin Steuble believes their lack of competitive games puts them at a disadvantage against the other teams in the group, whose own domestic leagues have already kicked off.

“There’s still a lot of expectations so it’s important that we pick up all three points,” said the Filipino-Swiss midfielder, who was among the starters in the 1-1 away draw with Hanoi FC two weeks ago.

Over in Phnom Penh, Global seeks a second straight Group F win against Boeung Ket Angkor.

The UFL champions, who beat Magwe of Myanmar, 1-0, two weeks ago, hope to pick up maximum points anew as they gear up for their highly anticipated duel with 2015 AFC Cup champions Johor Dairul Ta’zim of Malaysia on March 14.