Ceres Negros. Photo from AFC Cup Twitter.
BACOLOD CITY – Redemption came quick for Ceres Negros.
Stunned in the AFC Champions League preliminary stage three weeks ago, the Busmen responded by opening their AFC Cup campaign on a winning note.
OJ Porteria struck in each half as Ceres survived a feisty Shan United side, 3-2, last Tuesday night at Panaad Stadium.
Bienvenido Maranon was also on target for the Busmen, who survived a strong second-half performance from the Myanmar National League side to claim maximum points.
With Persija Jakarta of Indonesia and Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam battling to a goalless draw in the Indonesian capital, Ceres vaulted to top spot in Group G.
FULL-TIME | Ceres Negros (PHI) 3-2 Shan United FC (MYA)
@CeresNegrosFC edged out Shan United to win their opening Group G encounter in front of their home fans! 🤩🤩🤩#AFCCup2019 #CERvSHN pic.twitter.com/pau7Qk7GEZ— #AFCCup (@AFCCup) February 26, 2019
Porteria said losing the last match against Yangon spurred the squad to come out stronger.
“The last match here was a big loss for us so we knew we had to come out hard and play harder for this one,” said Porteria. “Everyone put in a shift tonight.”
The Busmen took the lead in the 19th minute with Porteria applying the finishing touch to a flowing move from the left. Inserted into the starting lineup, Mike Ott made an immediate impact by starting the move that led to the goal.
Omid Nazari chested the ball into the path of Porteria who lashed home a first time shot to the bottom corner.
Maranon doubled the lead in the 37th minute with a cheeky penalty after Thitsar Min fouled the Spanish striker inside the area.
But five minutes after the restart, Shan United grabbed a lifeline with Zin Min Tun firing from close range.
Porteria restored the two-goal lead three minutes from time with a well-taken effort after receiving an incredible cross-field ball from the excellent Stephan Schrock.
Ceres, however, conceded for the second time moments later as Dway Ko Ko Chit headed home from close range to send the match back into a knife edge.
Schrock had one more opportunity before the final whistle as the Busmen preserved the three points.
Ceres coach Risto Vidakovic, however, was not completely satisfied with the performance.
“I think we should have won easier,” said the Serbian. “We controlled the first half, but I don’t know what happened in the second half. It’s not normal to concede two goals at home especially for a team like us.”