Ceres needs victory or high-score draw vs Singapore

MANILA, Philippines — After a disappointing 1-1 draw in the first leg, Philippine side Ceres Negros FC guns for a victory no less against Singapore’s Home United in tonight’s return leg in the Lion City to extend its reign as Asean zone champion.

With the Protectors taking a potentially crucial away goal in Bacolod last week, the Busmen need to get the win in the 7:30 fixture at the Jalan Besar Stadium to clinch the title outright on goal aggregate. 

The Busmen can also afford a draw but it has to be high scoring – 2-2 or above – to seize the two-game series via the away goal rule.

“It’s the most important game of the season,” said Ceres defender Super Herrera. “We can make history again for two years in a row.”

Home only needs a 0-0 draw to steal the crown from Ceres.

“We can’t look backwards just because we have the away goal advantage, no, I don’t think so. In football, we start at 0-0 and you have to play to win, play very hard because you know, both teams have no secret to each other (having faced off in a number of games now) and tomorrow is a new game. It will be very tough,” said Home coach Aidil Sharin.

Based on first-leg stats, Ceres actually dominated possession against Home at 71 percent but couldn’t cash in and score the goals against the resolute defense of its rivals, which could have swayed the result to its favor.

New signing Blake Powell gave the Busmen the lead from the spot but Isaka Cernak levelled things out for the Protectors with a header that gave Home a vital away goal advantage going to the second leg.

“It’s quite difficult last week with the way they defend. But as coach Risto Vidakovic said, it will come down to little moments, key moments of the match. Hopefully we can take our chances and attack with purpose and finish the chances that we get and I think that will be the difference (tonight), “ said Aussie Powell.