Ceres meets Yangon United tonight at the Panaad
By Adrian Stewart Co
Ceres-Negros FC opens their qualifying campaign for a spot in the 2019 AFC Champions League group stage against Yangon United FC of Myanmar tonight at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
“I’m very confident that we will win,” said Ceres midfielder Stephan Schröck.
Despite striker Patrick Reichelt and midfielder Manuel Ott departing the club recently, the midfielder was sure his side was still capable of victory.
“We have very good additions [replacing] the veterans who left and the team’s mindset is always winning,” he noted.
The Bacolod City-based club has seen several updates to their roster including goalkeeper Ronilio Bayan, Jr.; defenders Alvaro Silva and Dennis Villanueva; and midfielders Miguel Tanton, Angelo Marasigan, and Dylan de Bruycker.
“The team is highly motivated against Yangon,” stated Ceres assistant coach Ian Treyes. “The adjustment with the new players is in the system; each of us is 100 percent focused on this game.”
The two-time Philippines Football League champions will be facing the defending Myanmar National League champions.
If successful, the Negrense club still has to pass two rounds of playoffs before making the group stage, with Chiangrai United FC of Thailand and Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan further down the bracket.
Last year, Ceres FC was one round away from making the 2018 AFC Champions League group stage after defeating Shan United FC of Myanmar and A-League club Brisbane Roar, but they eventually lost to Tianjin Quanjian FC of China.
The winner of the playoff round will be drawn into Group F, alongside Guangzhou Evergrande of the Chinese Super League, Daegu FC of K League 1, and current A-League champions Melbourne Victory FC./ASC, WDJ
