Ceres draws 10-man Home United

By Paulo Loreto Lim

Ceres-Negros FC faced off with their rivals from last year’s AFC Cup AZEAN Zone finals, Home United FC of Singapore, earlier this week in the ongoing 2018 AFC Cup group stage, where the two finished with a 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

The match opened optimistically for the Negrense side when midfielder Bienvenido Marañón found the back of the net in the seventh minute; however, it was ruled offside. A few minutes later, Ceres striker Patrick Reichelt was brought down by Home United defender Sirina Camara, earning a penalty.

Marañón stepped for his second opportunity but struck the post.

In the 21st minute, Home United midfielder Amy Recha was brought down by Ceres defender Sean Kane, resulting in a penalty for the home side.

Home United forward Shahril Ishak managed to get the ball past goalkeeper Toni Doblas, putting the Singaporean side up 1-0.

The score remained the same going into halftime; however, shortly after the match resumed, another foul committed by Camara earned a second yellow card, ejecting him from the match and leaving the home side down to 10 players.

Following the ejection, Ceres immediately took advantage of the extra man with a series of attempts from midfielder Stephan Schröck, midfielder Kevin Ingreso, and Marañón; however, they were all blocked or deflected by goalie Rudy Khairullah.

After earning a corner kick in the 78th minute, Ceres midfielder Manuel Ott delivered the kick, which was headed by defender Manuel Herrera, earning the equalizer.

Into stoppage time, Ott nearly nailed a last minute winner, however, his shot went just right of the goal.

The two clubs remain atop Group F, tied on four points; but with the Negrense club carrying a large goal differential of nine.

Ceres next faces Shan United FC of Myanmar, who they beat in the Champions League qualifying play-offs last month, on Tuesday, March 6, at the Panaad Park and Stadium./PLL, WDJ