Ceres dominates Group G,

advances to knockout stage

By Adrian Stewart Co

Ceres-Negros FC advanced anew in the 2019 AFC Cup after topping Group G following their recent 5-0 win over Myanmar’s Shan United earlier this week at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar. While the Bacolod City-based club still has one more group stage match later this month against defending V.League champions Becamex Binh Duong FC, their undefeated record has already secured the top spot in the group.

Bienvenido Marañón scored a hat trick in the Negrense club’s dismantling of their opponent, starting with giving the club a 2-0 lead at halftime after landing goals in the 38th and 43rd minutes.

Into the second half, after Shan United midfielder Zwe Thet Paing brought down Ceres defender Mike Ott, Marañón sealed his hat trick with a penalty in the 71st minute.

Ceres defender Carli de Murga made it 4-0 in the 80th minute, which was followed up five minutes later with goal from midfielder OJ Porteria.

The Negrense club is currently qualified for the ASEAN Zone semifinals, where they will face off with the winners of Group F and H, along with the best second place team among the three groups.

While PSM Makassar of Indonesia has already secured the top spot in Group H, Group F is still a contest between Tampines Rovers of Singapore and Hanoi FC of Vietnam./ASC, WDJ