Global Cebu, Ceres-Negros FC move to AFC knockout stage

GLOBAL Cebu FC and Ceres-Negros FC topped their respective groups after trashing separate opponents in the AFC Cup last Wednesday night.
The separate wins allowed the two squads to qualify to the knockout stage for the second straight year.

Global Cebu FC manhandled Cambodia’s Boeungket Angkor, 3-1, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Metro Manila.

Midfielder Paul Maulders started off the scoring spree at the 12th minute while forward Hikaru Minegishi added another goal at the 28th minute. Sath Rosib scored the visiting squad’s lone goal in the 50th but Darryl Roberts found the back of the net in 93rd to seal Global Cebu FC’s dominating victory.

Global Cebu FC finished at the top in Group F with 15 points courtesy of its five wins and one loss.

Also advancing to the next round from Group F are 2015 AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta’zim. The Malaysian powerhouse club trailed Global with four wins, one draw, and one loss for 13 points.

At the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore, Bacolod-based Ceres-Negros FC dominated Singaporean side Tampines Rovers, 4-2.

Striker Bienvenido Marañon put on an impressive performance when he scored in sixth and 22nd.

Muhammad Ya Sir Bin Hanapi of Tampines Rovers FC scored in 24th and 60th that tied the contest at two-games apievce.

Kota Kawase gave the lead back to Ceres Negros FC by netting a goal in 65th before Fernando Rodriguez scored on a penalty kick in the 44th minute to ice the team’s much-needed victory.

Ceres-Negros FC finished atop Group G with 11 points after nailing three wins to go with two draws, and a loss. Ha Noi also finished with eleven points but Ceres Negros FC took the top spot owing to its +8 goal difference compared to the former’s +4.

The ASEAN Semifinals will have Global Cebu FC taking on Singapore’s Home United and Johor Darul Ta’zim taking on Ceres-Negros FC in a two-leg home-and-away series.