By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Following their exit from the 2017 AFC Cup earlier this week, losing 5-1 on aggregate to FC Istiklol of Tajikistan in the inter-zone play-off semifinal, Ceres-Negros FC midfielders Stephan Schröck and Martin Steuble recently touted the accomplishments of the club and looked forward to the remainder of the ongoing Philippines Football League (PFL).
“Philippine football is still in baby shoes but we have already achieved something which is absolutely outstanding,” said Schröck. Prior to the inter-zone play-off semifinal, the Negrense club was named ASEAN Zone champions last month, beating Singaporean outfit Home United FC, 3-2, on aggregate.
“Our home crowd is likewise outstanding,” he added. “We are very happy and blessed to have such home fans.”
Steuble, meanwhile, would like to see the club momentum continue for their upcoming PFL fixtures.
“I hope the team still has high spirits to win the league,” he said.
Steuble also credited his club mates for having a “great spirit” and a management team “making sure we succeed.”
Ceres-Negros FC chairman Leo Rey Yanson also touted the club’s AFC Cup campaign.
“It has been a goal of the club to make history,” he remarked. “We were able to achieve a first, not only in Philippine football, but also in the Southeast Asia region.”
“Ceres went all-out in representing the city of Bacolod, the province of Negros Occidental, and the Philippines the best way it can,” he added./WDJ