Dynamic Herb Cebu vs Phnom Penh Crown in the AFC Cup. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Dynamic Herb Cebu was likewise given a rude welcome in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup after being blanked by visiting Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown, 3-0, on Thursday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The defeat which came after conceding the opener before the break and two more in the second half left all three clubs from the Philippines Football League with setbacks to begin their continental campaigns at home.
Shintaro Shimizu broke the ice shortly before the first half stoppage before goals from Orn Chanpolin and Andres Nieto in the 54th and 83rd added more misery to the Gentle Giants in the biggest match at this point of their young club history.
Cebu’s loss wrapped up three straight days of Asian club football in the country.
Dynamic Herb Cebu vs Phnom Penh Crown in the AFC Cup. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Kaya-Iloilo absorbed a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
Stallion-Laguna’s AFC Cup debut also ended in disappointment after losing 5-2 to Indonesia’s Bali United at Binan Football Stadium.
All three teams will shift their focus back on the Copa Paulino Alcantara where all progressed into the knockout stage.
Cebu’s next AFC Cup match is on Oct. 5 in Sydney, Australia against MacArthur FC.
The Gentle Giants were in position to put the rugged match scoreless until intermission but Shimizu struck for Phnom Penh by scoring past goalkeeper Ace Villanueva and a couple of defenders in the 42nd.