21 January 2020
Schrock game-winner vs Thais moves Ceres on brink of AFC Champions League spot
by REUBEN TERRADO
STEPHAN Schrock knocked in the game-winner as Ceres Negros FC beat Port FC, 1-0, on Tuesday night at the PAT Stadium in Bangkok to move one victory away from claiming a historic AFC Champions League spot.
With the win, the Busmen goes to the third and final match of the preliminary stage against FC Tokyo next week with a chance to become the first Philippine club to secure a place in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.
Schrock scored on a cross in the 51st minute, the ball finding its way to the back of the net after Port FC goalkeeper Worawut Srisupa failed to knock the ball away.
The Busmen also endured anxious moments as Port FC desperately sought a game-tying goal before coming away with their second win of the preliminaries.
Takashi Odawara also had a fine effort on defense for Ceres, particularly in the second half where he had a key stop on Port striker Sergio Gustavo Arteaga that preserved the one-goal lead.
20 January 2020
International Friendly : Jan 21 Tuesday - Kaya Fc Iloilo 0-2 Sabah FA (Malaysia)
🦁 Kaya FC-Iloilo v Sabah FA 🐮
📆 January 21, 2020
🏟 Binan Football Stadium
🕒 1700H
📆 January 21, 2020
🏟 Binan Football Stadium
🕒 1700H
19 January 2020
ACL2020: ODAWARA, ONE STEP AWAY FROM FOOTBALLING DREAM
Takashi Odawara came to the Philippines in 2015 to fulfill the dream of becoming a professional football player. Little did he know that his years of hard work and sacrifice would yield a path to the biggest stage and into something deeper and more personal.
Plucked from obscurity, Odawara came from being out of a club in 2018 to becoming a Philippine league and cup champion in 2019. Now, the Japanese midfielder is now on his way to Thailand to play in the second stage of qualifying against Port FC in Bangkok next week.
The Ceres-Negros player is still in disbelief of playing in the highest level of club football in Asia after experiencing a very challenging period in his career.
After having been dropped by his former PFL club, Odawara jumped around Manila’s amateur leagues in the last two years in order to keep fit. But last Tuesday night, he debuted on the Rizal Memorial pitch playing against the Myanmar champions in Shan United.
“I didn’t imagine this,” said Odawara. It’s like dream come true because six months ago, I had no club. I was looking for a team and now I play in the AFC Champions League. This is amazing.”
Odawara also marveled on the level of competition he experience in stage 1 of qualifying after he and Ceres-Negros managed to produce a win against Myanmar champions Shan United last January 14.
“It was very exciting for me because this is my first time to play an international match. Actually, everything is very different not like the PFL. The high level and everything else was good and it was a nice first experience to me,” said the Philippine league veteran since 2015.
Ceres-Negros will next face a high quality side in Port who were crowned the FA Cup champions and are gearing for a title challenge in the Thai League title after finishing third in 2019.
Odawara is well aware of the of the difficult match that lies ahead but is also looking forward to the possible reward of playing against a very familiar club should the busmen get through to the next round.
“I grew up in Japan and since I was young, I would always watch the games of FC Tokyo with my family,” said Odawara referring to ACLU Playoff contenders FC Tokyo who are waiting in the final round. “All their home games, I watched. So I really want to win the next game and want to go Japan and play against my dream team,” he added.
“My family and friends in Japan are very happy every time they see me play for Ceres-Negros FC. I wish I can play in front of them in Japan and against my boyhood club in FC Tokyo,” said the Copa 2019 MVP.
Odawara and Ceres-Negros FC will have their chance for to the ACL Playoff when they face Thai FA Champions Port FC at the PAT Stadium on January 21.
Kickoff is set at 7PM local time (8PM Philippine time). Broadcast/livestream details will be announced on ceresfootball.com and the Ceres-Negros FC social media pages.
GROMMEN, HARTMANN WEIGH IN ON ACL OPPONENTS THAI PORT
New signings Josh Grommen and Mark Hartmann are no strangers to Preliminary Stage 2 opponents in Port FC. Both players featured in the Thai League last season and have had first hand experience against the Thailand FA Cup Champions.
“Last year they had a very strong team,” said Grommen. “Always competed with the top sides of the league. They finished top three and won one of the cups,” added the former Sukothai defender.
“They were always competitive in the league,” said Hartmann who has been in the Thai League for two consecutive seasons. “They’ve got great players and this year they signed a couple of decent ones.”
“This season, they got a Brazilian player from Muang Thong in Heberty. He’s probably one of the best in Thailand at the moment,” Grommen exclaimed.
The former Muang Thong player is currently on loan to the Port Lions who have shown their intention to win the Thai League with the addition of Adisak and Tanaboon. Mainstays in Spanish ace Sergio Suarez,David Rochela, and Elias Dola will continue to feature for the squad.
Aside from the powerhouse team, one thing for the busmen will have to contend with is the home support which is known to be one of the most rabid especially with their close proximity to the pitch.
“Their crowd is fantastic,” said Hartmann who featured last year with Nakhon Ratchashima. “It will be full for sure so it gonna set the tone of the game.
With all things considered, Hartmann and Grommen know the challenge in facing a top caliber opponent but both have full faith in their squad to provide an upset on Tuesday.
“They’ve always been a good squad. It’s gonna be difficult for us but im sure we can do the same as last game and try to get the win,” said Harmann.
“Port has signed a few good players this year but im sure the boys can handle it,” added Grommen.
Kickoff for the January 21st match is set at 7PM Local time (8PM PHT). Broadcast or stream details will be announced on ceresfootball.com and the Ceres-Negros social media pages.
http://ceresfootball.com/grommen-hartmann-weigh-acl-opponents-thai-port/
“Last year they had a very strong team,” said Grommen. “Always competed with the top sides of the league. They finished top three and won one of the cups,” added the former Sukothai defender.
“They were always competitive in the league,” said Hartmann who has been in the Thai League for two consecutive seasons. “They’ve got great players and this year they signed a couple of decent ones.”
“This season, they got a Brazilian player from Muang Thong in Heberty. He’s probably one of the best in Thailand at the moment,” Grommen exclaimed.
The former Muang Thong player is currently on loan to the Port Lions who have shown their intention to win the Thai League with the addition of Adisak and Tanaboon. Mainstays in Spanish ace Sergio Suarez,David Rochela, and Elias Dola will continue to feature for the squad.
Aside from the powerhouse team, one thing for the busmen will have to contend with is the home support which is known to be one of the most rabid especially with their close proximity to the pitch.
“Their crowd is fantastic,” said Hartmann who featured last year with Nakhon Ratchashima. “It will be full for sure so it gonna set the tone of the game.
With all things considered, Hartmann and Grommen know the challenge in facing a top caliber opponent but both have full faith in their squad to provide an upset on Tuesday.
“They’ve always been a good squad. It’s gonna be difficult for us but im sure we can do the same as last game and try to get the win,” said Harmann.
“Port has signed a few good players this year but im sure the boys can handle it,” added Grommen.
Kickoff for the January 21st match is set at 7PM Local time (8PM PHT). Broadcast or stream details will be announced on ceresfootball.com and the Ceres-Negros social media pages.
http://ceresfootball.com/grommen-hartmann-weigh-acl-opponents-thai-port/
14 January 2020
Ceres Negros edges Shan United, advances in AFC Champions League preliminaries
The bus is rolling on in the AFC Champions League. Ceres Negros FC got their season off to a winning start after holding off Shan United, 3-2, in the first round of the AFC Champions League preliminaries on Tuesday evening at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
Ceres Negros got off to a dream start in Manila after Robert Lopez Mendy smashed in the opener in the 5th minute to put the Busmen ahead.
The early goal proved to be a sign of what was to come, with the hosts controlling most of the game in the first half. Ceres striker Bienvinido Maranon almost doubled up the lead in the 21st minute, but his low strike via a Mike Ott feed inside the box went wide of the mark.
The hosts finally broke through for a second time in the 40th minute, after Marañon's shot from an OJ Porteria cross was deflected into the back of the net.
The second half continued the run of play of the first 45 minutes, with Ceres eager to put the game to bed early.
Lopez Mendy almost doubled up his tally in the first five minutes of the second half, but failed to take advantage of a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper and could not convert a guilt-edged rebound. Porteria also had a chance to score in that period, but skied his opportunity.
Shan looked more threatening midway through the second period, finally getting the better of keeper Roland Muller through a Zin Min Tun strike in the 73rd minute.
It didn't take long for Ceres to restore their two-goal cushion though, after Porteria turned in Ott's cross from short range just six minutes later. But with three minutes left in normal time, Djedje Maximin Djawa pulled the visitors within one goal again.
The final chance of consequence came in added time with Shan United through a free kick in the Ceres penalty area. Fortunately for the hosts, Nanda Kyaw's free kick sailed high and wide of the mark.
Ceres Negros will move on to play Thailand's Port FC in the second round of the preliminaries on January 21.
11 January 2020
Butuan City - Football Tournament - Feb 9
We would like to invite our friends from Butuan and other nearby Cities and Municipalities to our 1st ever 9 aside football tournament (35 up category) here in Butuan City. Please help us share to other football enthusiasts.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2904628589549762&set=a.193129734033008&type=3&theater
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
