By Adrian Stewart Co
Ceres-Negros FC opens their 2019 AFC Cup campaign tonight at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, where they will face Shan United, who finished last year’s Myanmar National League in second place. The Negrense club is the two-time defending Philippines Football League champion.
Ceres head coach Risto Vidaković expressed confidence in their chances against Shan United, pointing out, the club has focused on a variety of improvements following their 2-1 loss earlier this month to another Burmese outfit, Yangon United, in the 2019 AFC Champions League qualifying playoffs.
“The game [against Yangon United] was uncomfortable for us as that was our first game as a team since September,” he explained. “We have prepared for the AFC Cup and have made the necessary adjustments to perform better.”
“We expect another grinding match with both teams eyeing maximum points [on] opening day,” he added.
During last year’s competitions, among their meetings in the AFC Champions League qualifying playoffs and the AFC Cup group stage, Ceres-Negros FC beat Shan United FC in all three of their matches.
Also drawn alongside the two clubs in Group G are Becamex Bình Dương FC of Vietnam’s V.League 1 and Persija Jakarta of Indonesia’s Liga 1./ASC, WDJ
