Home grabs slim lead vs Ceres in AFC Cup zonal final

Photo from AFC.com

SINGAPORE – Ceres-Negros coach Risto Vidakovic sees no reason to panic after the Busmen’s narrow 1-2 defeat to Home United of Singapore on Wednesday night in the first leg of the AFC Cup Asean zonal finals at Jalan Besar Stadium here.

An 84th minute header from Harris Harun proved to be the difference between the two sides heading into the second leg on Aug. 9 at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.

Stipe Plazibat opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute after Carlie De Murga fouled the Croatian striker inside the area.

After two Ceres goals were disallowed for offside, Martin Steuble scored a vital away goal with a long-range strike in first half stoppage time that was misjudged by Hassan Sunny.

“It was a tough match,” said Vidakovic. “I think my team didn’t play well – probably their worst game in the last few months. They (Home United) played with more intensity than us. I just hope we improve a lot in the next game at home, but I think the tie is still open.”

The Busmen only need a 1-0 victory to advance to the inter-zonal semifinals against Istiklol of Tajikistan.

The Busmen enjoyed plenty of time on the ball in the second half, but Hassan proved equal to every Ceres attack.

The Singapore international kept out Kevin Ingreso’s free kick at the hour mark and also denied Iain Ramsay’s header from close range in the 74th minute.

Harris then gave Home a slender advantage, outfoxing Kevin Ingreso in the area before heading the ball past Roland Muller.

“it will be different when we play at home because of the atmosphere and we have our crowd there (in Bacolod),” said Vidakovic. “But we have to change the intensity if we want to win (at home).”