Tough grind for Ceres against Hanoi

Ceres-Negros faces a daunting task of overcoming a Hanoi side boasting of Southeast Asia’s top talents as the Busmen host the first leg of the AFC Cup Asean zone semifinals Tuesday night in Bacolod City.

A packed crowd at Panaad Stadium is expected for the match coinciding with the city’s Charter Day as the Busmen, the Asean zone champions two seasons ago, try to gain an advantage before the second leg shifts to Hanoi on June 25.

There will be an abundance of talent as both sides parade the best players from their respective countries.

The match will feature two of the top scorers in the competition in Hanoi’s Nigerian striker Ganiyu Oseni, who has nine goals, the same output as Bienve Marañon of Ceres.

While Ceres has the mercurial Stephan Schrock, Hanoi will field the prodigious Nguyen Quang Hai, who won the Golden Ball of the AFF Suzuki Cup last year after leading the Vietnam national team to the title.

Just 22 years old, Quang Hai is already a national hero in Vietnam after leading the country’s Under-23 side to a finals appearance in the AFC Championship.