BACOLOD CITY—Philippines Football League champion Ceres Negros seeks to keep top spot as it clashes against Myanmar’s Shan United in Group F of the AFC Cup on Tuesday at Panaad Stadium here.
Held to a 1-1 draw by Home United a week ago in Singapore, the Busmen hope to rediscover their lethal form against the Burmese champions who are coming off a 2-1 away win over Boeung Ket in Phnom Penh.
With only the top team guaranteed of making the next round, every game counts for the Busmen who have four points just like Home, but own a superior goal difference.
Ceres struggled to put away Shan United before winning on penalties in the AFC Champions League preliminary stage in January.
The Busmen are aware of the threat posed by Shan United and coach Risto Vidakovic was quick to remind his players that a repeat of the performance against Home last week may not be enough to get a result at Panaad.
Fortunately for the Busmen, they’ve been almost unstoppable at home in the continental competition, losing only once in the last three years.
“Every game is different and it’s also important,” said Vidakovic. “We cant afford to be overconfident just like what happened last week.”
Meanwhile, Global Cebu collides with Group G leader Yangon United at Thuwunna Stadium also on Tuesday in Yangon.
The Cebu side leaned on an impressive performance from Patrick Deyto to preserve a 1-1 draw against Indonesian side Bali United last week at Rizal Memorial Stadium.