By Jonas Terrado
Ceres-Negros suffered a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Home United after losing 2-0 in their ASEAN Zonal Final clash in the AFC Cup Wednesday night at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.
Second half goals from Shakir Hamzah and Song Ui-Young sealed Home United’s vengeful win over Ceres and advance to the AFC Cup’s interzonal semis against North Korea’s 4.25 SC set later this month.
The absence of Spanish striker Bienvenido Maranon due to a two-match ban for a straight red in the ASEAN Zonal semis against Myanmar’s Yangon United proved too costly for the Busmen, who failed to repeat last year’s triumph over Home United.
Both clubs battled to a 1-1 tie in the first leg of their tie last week at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
Ceres went to the Lion City needing at least a one-goal victory to retain the ASEAN crown but failed to capitalize on early chances by Carli de Murga and Stephan Schrock.
