Ceres rues missed AFC Cup chance

South China’s Brazilian midfielder Luiz Carlos fires the game winning goal past Ceres goalkeeper Michael Casas in extra time. Contributed Photo/Stephen Tan

BACOLOD CITY—This wasn’t the ending Ceres-La Salle had envisioned in its maiden foray in the AFC Cup.

Facing South China of Hong Kong even at home was always going to be a tough proposition, but coming tantalizingly close to winning before bowing out made it a more painful experience for the Bacolod side.

As a stunned crowd at Panaad Stadium headed for the exits after Ceres’ 0-1 extra time defeat to South China Tuesday night, the Filipino side was a picture of frustration.

Brazilian midfielder Luiz Carlos scored on an unstoppable volley in the second half of extra time, sending the Hong Kong side to the quarterfinals for the second straight year while Ceres was left to rue its missed chances.

Combining for 10 goals in the group stage, Spanish strikers Bienvenido Maranon and Adrian Gallardo misfired when it mattered, guilty of bungling clear-cut opportunities in the second half.

But for a club that started playing in the United Football League two years ago, qualifying to the knockout round as the top team in the group that included established clubs from Malaysia and Singapore are already impressive feats.