By JONAS TERRADO
Games Today
(Panaad Stadium, Bacolod City)
6 p.m. – Ceres vs Home United
(Bali, Indonesia)
8 p.m. – Bali United vs Global
Ceres-Negros seeks to confirm its place in the ASEAN zonal semifinals when it plays Singapore’s Home United tonight to wrap up the group stage of the AFC Cup at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
The Busmen, unbeaten with four victories and one draw, need at least a tie in the 6 p.m. contest to reach the knockout stage for the third straight year and secure top spot in Group F of Asia’s second-tier club tournament.
Meanwhile, Global-Cebu will try to close its campaign on a high note when it faces Bali United at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in Bali, Indonesia.
Global is no longer in contention in the race for the best second place club in the ASEAN zonal semis after producing just five points in five matches.
Ceres is looking to stretch its unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches and avoid possible complications with a Home United victory.
The best second placer from Groups F to H joined the top finishers of each bracket in the ASEAN semis.
Stephan Schrock, whose sensational goal in Ceres’ 2-0 win over Global in last week’s Philippines Football League match, is expected to lead the club’s attack alongside Bienvenido Maranon, brothers Mike and Manny Ott and Kevin Ingreso.
Ceres and Home United battled to a 1-all draw in its first group stage match in Singapore last February.