Ceres-Negros gained a crucial away advantage but blew a first half lead in losing 3-2 to Johor Darul Ta’zim in the first leg of their ASEAN zonal semifinals in the AFC Cup held Wednesday night at the Larkin Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
An equalizer by Safiq Rahim and a second half goal by Hazwan Bakri allowed JDT to come away with the home victory despite watching Ceres take a 2-1 lead on a screamer by Spaniard Bienvenido Maranon in the 25th minute.
Rahim headed the equalizer shortly before the first half stoppage time when he was left unmarked inside the box while Bakri scored off a deflection by Busmen defender Super that put the Malaysian powerhouse in front.
