Ceres
Negros F.C. tempers expectations as they begin their AFC Champions League quest
against Myanmar’s Shan United on Jan. 14 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Bosnian head coach Risto Vidakovic refused promising Filipino football fans
anything as the Busmen have only resumed training last Monday after a
three-month offseason.
“We
cannot promise anything, but we will represent the country in the best way
possible,” said Vidakovic, who steered the Busmen to the AFC Cup Asean zone
title in 2017.
“We are going to fight until the last
minute to reach the next round. It’s a very hard competition. But we are going
to try. We will give our best so I hope everyone will support us,” he
added.
The Busmen came close to reaching the group
stage two years ago when they stunned Brisbane Roar of Australia, 3-2, in the
second round only to fall short in the final phase against Tianjin Quanjian of
China, 2-0.
Last year, Ceres-Negros fell at the first hurdle
to Myanmar side Yangon United at Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
For the first time in their brief history in
continental competitions, the Busmen will be playing their home games at Rizal
Memorial Stadium due to Panaad going under renovation.
“We’re all excited,” said Spanish striker
Bienvenido Maranon, who was the top scorer of the AFC Cup last year with 10
goals. “We are happy to play in Bacolod, but we’re also happy to play at Rizal
Memorial.”
A win over the over Shan United will send the
Busmen to the second round, meeting Thai League 1 team Port F.C., where former
Ceres captain Martin Steuble currently plays.
The winner of the second-round matchup will face
Kashima Antlers of Japan for a place in the group stage. Failure to qualify
will relegate Ceres to the AFC Cup, the second-tier club competition in the
continent.
“The mindset is always winning regardless if we
are prepared or we were only playing together for a short time. I’m playing
against the idea of losing. In the back of my mind, I want to qualify. I’m
looking for history.” said Azkals and Ceres midfielder Stephan Schröck
