Global Cebu and Ceres Negros confirmed their places in the ASEAN zonal semifinals of the AFC Cup after beating separate rivals at the close of the tournament’s group stage last Wednesday.
First half goals by Paul Mulders and Amani Aguinaldo coupled with a late score by Darryl Roberts propelled Global past Cambodian side Boeungket Angkor, 3-1, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium to clinch the top spot in Group F with 15 points.
Spaniard Bienvenido Maranon struck all of his two goals in the first 23 minutes and Ceres reaffirmed its mastery of Tampines Rovers, 4-2, at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore to win Group G on goal difference.
Both squads join Group H winner Home United of Singapore and Malaysian club Johor Darul Ta’zim, the best second placer from the three ASEAN groups, in the zonal semis which starts on May 16 and 17.
Global faces Home United while Ceres battles JDT in a pair of two-legged affairs, with the winners advancing to the ASEAN zonal finals of Asia’s second-tier club competition.