With the Philippines Football League title already wrapped up, Ceres-Negros is fully focused on settling unfinished business tonight, as they battle Singapore Premier League's Home United in the first leg of the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium.
Both teams took care of business in the semifinals back in May, with Ceres beating Yangon United, 6-5 on aggregate and Home doubling Persija Jakarta, 6-3 on aggregate.
One can say that the Protectors can feel at ease in Bacolod, after they beat the Busmen, 2-0 during the Group Stage, although Ceres came into that particular matchup already assured of a berth into the knockout rounds. Their first meeting this season back in February ended in a 1-1 draw.
Home is looking to avenge last year's exit at this round against Ceres, whom they lost 3-2 on aggregate.
Risto Vidakovic will be without his biggest goal-scoring threat, as Bienvenido Maranon is suspended for both legs due to his misconduct during the second leg of their semifinal against Yangon. He says that they have prepared for this situation, "We have to think about the players that can play and I think we have enough supply of players that the team will not suffer in his absence." He also noted that the team will give a hundred percent, regardless of the score.
Martin Steuble adds, "Bienve (Maranon) is a big loss for us but I think the way our system is built, its not very much dependent on a single player. Someone has to step in and I'm sure he will fulfill his role completely."
The former Philippines international is very much clear of the team's desire to win this matchup, as their way of give back to the supportive home crowd.
Kickoff tonight is pegged at 730pm, with LIVE TV broadcast on Fox Sports just before.
Regardless of the result tonight, the second leg will take place at Jalan Besar Stadium exactly a week later.
Both teams took care of business in the semifinals back in May, with Ceres beating Yangon United, 6-5 on aggregate and Home doubling Persija Jakarta, 6-3 on aggregate.
One can say that the Protectors can feel at ease in Bacolod, after they beat the Busmen, 2-0 during the Group Stage, although Ceres came into that particular matchup already assured of a berth into the knockout rounds. Their first meeting this season back in February ended in a 1-1 draw.
Home is looking to avenge last year's exit at this round against Ceres, whom they lost 3-2 on aggregate.
Risto Vidakovic will be without his biggest goal-scoring threat, as Bienvenido Maranon is suspended for both legs due to his misconduct during the second leg of their semifinal against Yangon. He says that they have prepared for this situation, "We have to think about the players that can play and I think we have enough supply of players that the team will not suffer in his absence." He also noted that the team will give a hundred percent, regardless of the score.
Martin Steuble adds, "Bienve (Maranon) is a big loss for us but I think the way our system is built, its not very much dependent on a single player. Someone has to step in and I'm sure he will fulfill his role completely."
The former Philippines international is very much clear of the team's desire to win this matchup, as their way of give back to the supportive home crowd.
Kickoff tonight is pegged at 730pm, with LIVE TV broadcast on Fox Sports just before.
Regardless of the result tonight, the second leg will take place at Jalan Besar Stadium exactly a week later.
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