CERES-Negros FC failed to advance to the next round of the 2019 AFC Champions League after a 1-2 defeat to Myanmar’s Yangon United on Tuesday night at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
Vinicius Guirra Miller de Oliveira and Kaung Htet Soe scored a goal each to lead the way for the Myanmar champions, which advanced to the second preliminary round against Chiangrai United.
The Busmen have a tentative start allowing the Yangon United to surge ahead at the 27th minute with Brazilian Miller converting his free kick past Ceres-Negros goal keeper Roland Muller.
Soe nearly doubled the lead for the Burmese squad few possessions later but the crossbar denied his try.
Ceres-Negros was able to tie the count with Stephan Schrock draining a cross by Martin Steuble from the left flank.
Yangon United broke the deadlock early in the second half with Soe taking advantage of the holes on Ceres-Negros defense to fire from close range to regain the lead for his team.
With their backs against the wall, the Busmen turned aggressive on offense with attempts from Jose Elmer Porteria and Kevin Ingreso but Yangon’s goalie was able to block their tries.
Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon, a late substitute in the game, made his last push to equalize for the Negrenses as he beat Yangon’s offside trap and had a chance to score but misfired his attempt.
With the defeat, Ceres-Negros will be relegated to the AFC Cup group stage campaign where they will begin their campaign against Shan United of Myanmar on February 26 at the Panaad Stadium./PN
