Ceres-Negros FC managed to come out winners in their matchup against Kaya FC-Makati, 3-2, at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod on Saturday night.
Fernando Rodriguez scored the game-winner four minutes into added time for the Busmen, snatching a potential draw away for the visitors and securing all three points for the hosts, as they continue their chase towards the top of the standings.
The match started out with guns blazing, as it took only three minutes for the first goal, with Robert Lopez Mendy sending a low cross towards Jordan Mintah, who easily taps it in for Kaya.
Ceres needed just six minutes to find an equalizer, as a Bienvenido Maranon header got past Ref Cuaresma to level things up. But six minutes later, Ceres would take the lead, as Rodriguez smashed in his first goal.
With the potential that both teams may just see each other in the Finals Series, there was an added magnitude of intensity, as tempers flared up between both teams.
Kaya would have chances to tie things up before the first half ended, but the break came with Ceres ahead, 2-1.
The visitors manage to find the equalizer not long after the restart. 11 minutes in, Alfred Osei takes advantage of Roland Mueller not being able to get a proper save during a scramble inside the Ceres area, making it 2-2. This prompted a ten-minute break due to protestations from the Ceres bench, who felt that the former Philippine international was struck in the head during the build-up. Officials would then banish head coach Risto Vidakovic to the stands in the aftermath.
Complicating matters for the Busmen was that Jeff Christiaens was sent off for his second booking in the 78th minute. But even with the personnel disadvantage, Ceres managed to have chances to secure a win, including winning a penalty after Osei committed a foul inside the area. Unfortuantely, Cuaresma saved the spot kick to preserve the score, setting up the drama late for the game-winner.
Kaya did have one final chance to score, but Mintah's point blank attempt was saved by Mueller.
The win cuts Ceres' deficit against Kaya in half, with seven games in hand, and just seven points behind pace-setting FC Meralco Manila with five games in hand.
Post-game Notes:
Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida: "It was really a wild game. We came here to get the three points. We're disappointed. But for me, the important thing is, my players really did well. I said before the game, we needed to start strong and finish strong, and we did that. You can see how the game played out. They really tried their best. They were creating lots of chances. We're looking forward to our next game. You never know, we may have a chance again to play each other. It's not the end of the world. We still have four more games [left in the regular season]."
Ceres assistant Pepe Lozada: "First of all, we are very proud of our players because we played - especially today, but the whole season as well - against 11 players, plus the referees. This is no good for Philippine football. If the Federation don't fix this problem, it's impossible to improve football in the Philippines."
Fernando Rodriguez scored the game-winner four minutes into added time for the Busmen, snatching a potential draw away for the visitors and securing all three points for the hosts, as they continue their chase towards the top of the standings.
The match started out with guns blazing, as it took only three minutes for the first goal, with Robert Lopez Mendy sending a low cross towards Jordan Mintah, who easily taps it in for Kaya.
Ceres needed just six minutes to find an equalizer, as a Bienvenido Maranon header got past Ref Cuaresma to level things up. But six minutes later, Ceres would take the lead, as Rodriguez smashed in his first goal.
With the potential that both teams may just see each other in the Finals Series, there was an added magnitude of intensity, as tempers flared up between both teams.
Kaya would have chances to tie things up before the first half ended, but the break came with Ceres ahead, 2-1.
The visitors manage to find the equalizer not long after the restart. 11 minutes in, Alfred Osei takes advantage of Roland Mueller not being able to get a proper save during a scramble inside the Ceres area, making it 2-2. This prompted a ten-minute break due to protestations from the Ceres bench, who felt that the former Philippine international was struck in the head during the build-up. Officials would then banish head coach Risto Vidakovic to the stands in the aftermath.
Complicating matters for the Busmen was that Jeff Christiaens was sent off for his second booking in the 78th minute. But even with the personnel disadvantage, Ceres managed to have chances to secure a win, including winning a penalty after Osei committed a foul inside the area. Unfortuantely, Cuaresma saved the spot kick to preserve the score, setting up the drama late for the game-winner.
Kaya did have one final chance to score, but Mintah's point blank attempt was saved by Mueller.
The win cuts Ceres' deficit against Kaya in half, with seven games in hand, and just seven points behind pace-setting FC Meralco Manila with five games in hand.
Post-game Notes:
Kaya head coach Noel Marcaida: "It was really a wild game. We came here to get the three points. We're disappointed. But for me, the important thing is, my players really did well. I said before the game, we needed to start strong and finish strong, and we did that. You can see how the game played out. They really tried their best. They were creating lots of chances. We're looking forward to our next game. You never know, we may have a chance again to play each other. It's not the end of the world. We still have four more games [left in the regular season]."
Ceres assistant Pepe Lozada: "First of all, we are very proud of our players because we played - especially today, but the whole season as well - against 11 players, plus the referees. This is no good for Philippine football. If the Federation don't fix this problem, it's impossible to improve football in the Philippines."
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