Dynamic Herb Cebu secured its first-ever victory in continental competition by defeating Myanmar’s Shan United 1-0 in the 2023-2024 AFC Cup on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
With this maiden win, Cebu climbed to the third position in Group F, garnering 3 points, while Shan United dropped to the bottom with zero points.
In the 29th minute, Coach Joshua Schirmer’s team found the back of the net in a stroke of luck. Ken Murayama delivered the ball into the box, and it deflected off Shan United’s goalkeeper, Myo Min Latt, into his own net.
During the second half, forward Rintaro Hama, Murayama, and former UAAP star Ivan Ouano made efforts to increase the lead for Cebu, but none of them succeeded in doubling the score.
However, the solitary goal from the first half proved to be sufficient.
What made this victory even sweeter was the fact that Cebu had suffered two painful defeats in previous games. They began their campaign with a 0-3 loss to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown on September 21 and followed it up with an 8-2 defeat by Australia’s Macarthur FC in Sydney.
At least the home side finally got to savor the taste of victory in the AFC Cup.
Both teams are set to face each other once more on November 9, 2023, at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon at 8 p.m.
Dynamic Herb Cebu XI: Badelic (GK), Okuda, Gadia, Tasci ©, Rosquillo, Togashi, Cinkir, Hama, Dabao III, Kore, Murayama.
Shan United XI: Zwe Khant Min, Ye Min Thu, Hein Thiha Zaw ©, Nanda Kyaw, Kaneshiro, Aung Wunna Soe, Zin Phyo Aung, Racheen, Myo Min Latt (GK), Sekyi, Ye Yint Aung.
