With the wounds from their AFC Cup zonal semi-finals elimination still fresh from last year, Myanmar champions Yangon United found a way to avenge themselves thanks to a stunning victory against Ceres-Negros Football Club.
Stephan Schrock’s strike was not enough for the Philippine club. Goals from Vinicius Guirra, Miller de Oliveira, and substitute forward Kaung Htet Soe lifted Yangon to a 2-1 win over Ceres in front of 7,079 fans, Tuesday evening at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod City.
The result allows the Burmese club to advance to the second preliminary round of the 2019 AFC Champions League, while relegating the Filipino champions to the 2019 AFC Cup group stage.
The home side started the contest noticeably a step slower than the visitors; they conceded a goal at the 27th minute. Brazilian midfielder Miller shot the free kick past Ceres goalkeeper Roland Muller to silence the Panaad crowd.
Kaung Htet Soe then went close to doubling Yangon’s advantage, but the crossbar denied his attempt. One way or another, Ceres needed inspiration to initiate a comeback. They found it in their veterans Martin Steuble and Stephan Schrock.
Steuble unleashed a cross into the Yangon box from the left flank. His comrade Schrock then slotted it home for the Busmen to level the playing field, two minutes from halftime.
However, the Filipino-German midfielder’s goal failed to turn the tide for Ceres. Kaung Htet Soe quickly took advantage of the space he found himself in the home side’s box, and fired from close range to regain the lead for Yangon at the 58th minute.
The Busmen sought to respond promptly, since they were without the fallback of a second leg if they suffered defeat. Yangon goalie performed fine stops to deny OJ Porteria and Kevin Ingreso. Meanwhile, Porteria squandered a big opportunity to score his team’s second leveler when he hit the crossbar with the goal at his mercy.
Deep into stoppage time, substitute striker Beinvenido Maranon beat Yangon’s offside trap and should have scored the goal that forced extra time. But the Spaniard fluffed the opportunity and sent Ceres’ hopes for a miracle into the abyss.
Ultimately, it was Yangon’s evening to savor, as Ceres were left to lament their early exit from the continent’s biggest club competition.
Ceres’ AFC Cup group stage campaign commences against Shan United of Myanmar. The game is on February 26, 2019 at the Panaad Stadium.
Ceres XI: Muller (GK), Steuble ©, Nazari, Silva, Dizon, De Murga, Schrock, Porteria, Tanton, Ingreso, Herrera.
Yangon XI: Kyaw Zin Htet (GK), Htoo Khant Lwin, Thurein Sow, Pyae Phyo Zaw, Min Kyaw Khant, Kosuke, Yan Aung Kyaw ©, Kyaw Zin Oo, Miller, Mg Mg Lwin, Sylla.
