By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Ceres Negros FC continues their quest in the Asian Football Confederation as they advanced to the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals against Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia.
The Bacolod-based club will challenge the Malaysian side in an away match on May 17 at the Tan Sri Dato Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Johor Bahru while play at home in Panaad Park and Stadium on May 31.
The Ceres Negros secured the semis ticket after their 4-2 edge over Tampines Rovers last May 3 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore which put them on top of Group G.
Club Director Ali Go described their do-or-die face-off with Tampines as a tough one for them. “It was a very hard game for us. We were just mentally prepared for it,” he said. “Do-or-die games are always hard but the team responded well. Everybody was prepared for the game,” he added.
Looking forward to their next game with JDT, Go said the team must be physically, mentally and tactically ready since the Malaysian side are very strong.
“For now, we have to ask the PFF to re-schedule our games in the Philippines Football League as the matches are all too close with the Zonal semis. They (PFF) have to help Philippine clubs in the AFC Cup,” the Ceres FC club director stressed.
Ceres FC is supposed to play at home against FC Meralco Manila on May 13 followed by Davao Aguilas FC on May 17.
The other Filipino club which qualified to the Zonal semis is Global Cebu FC which will face Singapore’s Home United FC on May 16 and 30.
On playing with a bigger crowd of around 10,000 to 11,000 supporters of JDT, Go said as professional football players, they should embrace this as they enter the bigger stage of the tournament. “That’s why we play because we love the pressure of the games in this competition. Playing strong teams brings out the best in each player and team. We have to stay focused and concentrate on the game at hand,” he added. “Almost all our players have played already in bigger stages, so they know what’s on stake. I played before to a crowd of 120,000 and I loved the atmosphere.”
Negros Occidental Football Association head Ricky Yanson, for his part, appealed to all the Negrenses to support Ceres Negros FC as they represent the Philippine in the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal semi-finals./WDJ