Ceres Negros. Photo from @AFCCup Twitter account.
Ceres Negros stayed unbeaten in the AFC Cup with a hard earned 1-0 away victory over Myanmar’s Shan United Wednesday night, while Global Cebu secured a breakthrough win in dramatic fashion at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The Busmen leaned on an early penalty conversion from Spanish striker Bienve Maranon and needed some stellar goalkeeping from Toni Doblas to preserve the victory at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.
Maranon scored in the 15th minute after he was fouled inside the area, but the Busmen also missed a host of chances that could have sealed the match earlier. Fortunately for Ceres, Doblas was in fine form, saving a couple of one-on-one opportunities to keep another clean sheet.
With its second straight win against the Myanmar League winner, Ceres, the reigning Asean zone champion increased its haul to 10 points from four matches in Group F, moving closer to the knockout stage of the continental competition.
At Rizal Memorial Stadium, Global kept its hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive after a last gasp goal from Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez secured a thrilling 2-1 win over Group G leader Yangon United Tuesday.
Former Trinidad and Tobago international Daryl Roberts put Global in front with a header off a Dom Del Rosario delivery in the 79th minute, but the visitors equalized through Muang Muang Lwin’s diving header just before stoppage time.
But Sanchez was fouled inside the area in the 93rd minute and the Spanish striker duly converted the spot kick as Global finally notched victory after four matches.
Global remained at the bottom of its group, behind Vietnamese side Thanh Hoa on goal difference, but the Filipinos can still advance if they beat Thanh Hoa at home and Bali United away.