Ceres-Negros tries to bounce back, battles Yangon

BACOLOD CITY—Ceres-Negros hopes to return to winning ways in the AFC Cup when it clashes with Yangon United of Myanmar in the first leg of the Asean zone semifinals at Panaad Stadium here.

Stunned by Home United of Singapore in their final group game two weeks ago, the Busmen set out to grab the upperhand in the 7:30 p.m. clash before the tie shifts to Yangon for the second leg next Wednesday.

The winner of the semifinal tie meets the survivor of the Persija Jakarta-Home United duel.

Following an impressive run in AFC Champions League qualifying and a stellar start to the AFC Cup, Ceres coach Risto Vidakovic eased the pressure on the Busmen.

“The most important thing to me is that the players make a big effort,” the Serbian said. “They have to give everything and I think for me that is enough. We cannot be obsessed with the score, the result.”

Vidakovic said winning the Asean zone crown again would be tougher with the emergence of stronger teams, including Yangon, which entered the semifinals for the first time.