REIGNING AFC Cup Asean Zonal champion Ceres Negros FC and AFC Cup Zonal semi-finalist Global Cebu FC secured seats to the 2018 Asian Football Confederation Cup after conquering their respective semi-final opponents in the 2017 Philippines Football League (PFL) on Saturday at the Panaad Stadium and Rizal Memorial Stadium, respectively.
Ceres FC outplayed Kaya FC-Makati, 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate) while Global FC denied erstwhile league leader Meralco Manila FC the spot in the finals on a 1-1 draw (3-2 on aggregate).
On Leg 2 semis, Kaya FC came out aggressively in the opening minutes winning an early free-kick just above the box. OJ Porteria got his chance for Ceres's go ahead goal in the ninth minute off a Bienvenido Marañon pass, but his shot went over the crossbar.
Named “man of the match,” Marañon almost got his goal when he broke out from his defenders and took Arnie Pasinabo’s pass in front of Ref Cuaresma, however, assistant referee Roberto Hernandez ruled an offside.
Jordan Mintah also had his chance to bring Kaya upfront in the 13th minute with a header but his attempt was saved by Busmen keeper Roland Muller. Ten minutes later, Mintah went through a tight Ceres FC defense of Kota Kawase and Manuel Herrera inside the box for a goal opportunity though his attempt went far left of the post.
Ceres FC finally booked a 1-0 lead on Marañon’s header in the 31st minute off a cross from Omid Nazari who got the initial low pass from Pasinabo.
Kaya didn’t lose hope as their efforts paid off when Antonio Miguel Ugarte scored the equalizer on a rebound play in the 44th minute after Muller’s weak punch on the ball. Both squads went back into their respective locker rooms at the half with even scores, 1-all.
In the second canto, both teams played physically tougher as they tried to score the deciding goal keeping the fans silent.
Iain Ramsay then brought the Panaad crowd to a roar when he lobbed the ball over Cuaresma outsmarting everyone with a looper from 45 yards which eventually sealed the win for the home team.
In the post-match press conference, assistant coach Ian Treyes, who called the play for Ceres FC last Saturday following coach Risto Vidakovic’s second suspension, thanked the Negrense fans for supporting the team in its effort to bring pride to the province and to the country as they return to the AFC Cup
“It was a tough match. Kaya also tried their best,” he said, adding, that they worked hard in the second half. “During the half-time huddle, our instruction was to pick up all loose balls and don’t give up on ball possessions.”
Kaya FC coach Noel Marcaida said the defeat hurt his team so much but, he was proud of how his players performed.
“They played their all tonight. They didn’t give up until the end of the game,” he said. “Congratulations for your Ceres FC for advancing to the finals and qualifying into the AFC Cup.”
In the other semis, Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez lifted Global Cebu FC with an 85th minute goal to level Meralco FC, 1-all just enough to push his team into the inaugural PFL finals. Kurt Dizon scored Meralco’s goal in the early second minute but luck went to Global's way.
The championship match is scheduled December 16 with the venue to be determined after today’s PFL meeting in Manila.