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[av_heading heading=’Ceres vs S’pore in AFC zonal finals’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Wednesday, august 2, 2017
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MANILA – Ceres Negros of the Philippines is facing an uphill climb as it suits up against Home United of Singapore in the first leg of the 2017 AFC Cup zonal finals tonight at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
Ceres – based in Negros Occidental province – reached the zonal finals after beating Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia. Home United, on the other hand, ousted another Philippine squad, Global Cebu.
While acknowledging they are in for a tough battle against Home United, Ceres head coach Risto Vidakovic expects his players to give their best to – possibly – pull off an upset.
“I expect them to give the 100 percent of their abilities to win a big game,” said Vidakovic. “The team is motivated … we are not under pressure. I think [we have] the opportunity to reach something.”
Spaniards Bienvenido Marañon, Manuel Herrera and Fernando Rodriguez, and Michael Casas, Iain Ramsay, Jose Elmer Porteria, Stephan Schrock, and Manuel Ott are leading the Ceres crew.
Stipe Plazibat – who scored two game-winning goals against Global – Song Ui Yong, Marijan Suto, Ridhuan Shamsuddin, and Ribiyanda Saswadimata are bannering Home United.
Ceres will host Home United on Aug. 9 at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City for Leg 2. The winner between them will face Central Zonal champion FC Istiklol in a two-leg inter-zonal semifinals./PN
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