Ceres-Negros FC blew away Cambodian League champions Boeung Ket Angkor FC, 9-0, in their 2018 AFC Cup group stage match last night at a rainy Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.

The home side nearly struck just after the first minute after midfielder Bienvenido Marañón offered a cross to midfielder Mike Ott, who was denied in the face of goal.

In the 14th minute, after Ott made a run towards goal, he tapped it to Marañón, whose attempt was initially blocked by Boeung keeper Sou Yaty; however, Ceres striker Takumi Uesato took advantage of the deflection and put the Negrense side on the board.

Boeung striker Maycon Calijuri nearly scored an equalizer shortly after, but his attempt went right into the hands of Ceres keeper Toni Doblas.

Minutes later, following a corner delivered by midfielder Stephan Schröck, a deflection allowed for Marañón to tap the ball into goal, putting the home side up 2-0.

In the 20th minute, the Ceres goal-scoring spree continued after an unguarded Jeffrey Christiaens managed to set up a cross for Uesato, who made it a 3-0 lead, earning himself a brace.

After Boeung defender Touch Pancharong brought Ott down in the box, a penalty was awarded in the 27th minute. Marañón stepped up and successfully converted the kick, scoring his second of the match and putting Ceres up 4-0.

Shortly after, the Negrense side earned a manita, or five goals in one game, after OJ Porteria scored off an assist by Marañón.

With about two minutes left in the first half, Schröck was subbed out for striker Patrick Reichelt.

The first half ended with a massive 5-0 lead for the home team.

Ott nearly opened the second half with a goal, however, Yaty managed to tap it away.

In the 53rd minute, Uesato almost scored a hat trick, however, his header attempt flew well above goal.

The Cambodian side suffered bad luck just before the 60th minute when Boeung defender Sun Sovannrithy attempted to head a Ceres attempt away, but ended up getting it past his own goalkeeper, scoring an own goal and giving Ceres a 6-0 advantage.

A few minutes later, Yaty saved another Ott attempt.

With two-thirds of the match completed, Ceres recorded numerous attempts at goal, while Boeung had only made one.

In the 62nd minute, Ott’s brother Manuel Ott came on for Marañón.

The substitute quickly seized an opportunity near the visitors’ goal, offering a cross to defender Carli de Murga, who successfully headed the ball and put the Negrense side up 7-0.

By the 67th minute, Mike Ott had another opportunity with an open shot at goal; however, his attempt struck the crossbar.

Uesato, like Marañón, would miss out on a chance at a hat trick. He was subbed out just before the 80th minute for striker Nessi Ramos.

Manuel Ott put Ceres up 8-0 from a long-range shot in the 80th minute, who was then showered with praise as the midfielder is still nursing an injury suffered from last season. Prior to last night’s match, Ceres coach Risto Vidaković said the elder Ott was not 100 percent.

With just over five minutes before end of regulation time, Porteria added another goal after weaving through a few Boeung defenders, putting the Negrense side up 9-0.

In the other Group F match, Singapore’s Home United FC beat Myanmar’s Shan United FC, 1-0, earlier in the afternoon.

Ceres’ win puts them atop the group, tied on points with the Singaporean club, but with a much larger goal difference. The two are scheduled to meet on February 27 at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

Ceres defeated Home United last year to win the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal championship./PLL, WDJ