CERES-Negros Football Club aims to solidify its hold of the top spot in the group stage when it faces Persija Jakarta of Indonesia in the 2019 AFC Cup today at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Ceres-Negros currently holds the top spot of Group G with nine points on three victories, while the visiting Persija Jakarta is at second place with four points on one victory, one loss and a draw.
Ceres-Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic said he hopes his wards to again give the same intensity as in their 1-0 victory over the Indonesians on April 3 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
“We are on the top, but we still have three games left and each one is very important,” Vidakovic said. “We have three very important games in front of us and we are playing against top teams.”
He added: “(Today) is a very big game against one of the biggest clubs in Southeast Asia so it’s very important to get points for the team. I’m sure both teams will fight to win the game. Everyone is expecting a very hard game.”
Spanish striker Bienvenido Marañon for his part, said that their approach remains the same against the Indonesians and that they will continue to work even harder as the season progresses.
“For me, there is no pressure,” Marañon said. “Normally, I play football to enjoy and I contribute to be in the same way – because if we play against a very good team like Persija Jakarta, we just enjoy.”
The Ceres-Negros and Persija Jakarta match is slated at 4:30 p.m. in the afternoon and will be shown live on national TV on the 5Plus channel and on cable TV via Fox Sports 2./PN
