Hougang XI ousts Ceres in Singapore Cup

MANILA, Philippines -  Ceres Negros crashed out of the 2017 RHB Singapore Cup after yielding a 0-1 loss to Hougang United in Tuesday night’s preliminary round at Hougang Stadium.

Italian sub Antoine Viterale made the Busmen pay for a faulty defensive clearance to score the marginal goal at the 78th minute and beat the favored Philippine side for a quarterfinal berth.

Ceres’ exit left Global Cebu FC as the last Filipino team standing in the annual international club tourney.

Global was slated to play Geylang International last night at Jalan Besar Stadium.

“We tried for 90 minutes; we have the possession, we tried football and tried to build up all the time. They didn’t play, they just defended maybe most part of the game. But this is football. The field also didn’t help us much. It’s easier to defend than attack but it’s okay, they deserve to win,” said coach Risto Vidakovic.

The Ceres mentor lauded his wards for the effort especially the six Azkals, who took part in a grueling trip to China and Tajikistan and played at the Philippine Football League (PFL) prior to the Hougang game.