CERES Negros absorbed a 1-2 loss to Singapore’s Home United in the hard-fought first leg of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup Regional Finals on Wednesday night at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore.
Harris Harum made his AFC Cup debut by providing the winner in the 84th minute. He rebounded Faris Ramli’s missed free-kick to give Home United the edge going into the second leg on August 9 at the Panaad Park and Football Stadium in Bacolod City.
Home United coach Aidil Sharin heaved a sigh of relief after surviving the tough challenge from Ceres.
“We have the lead and the pressure is now on them (Ceres) to win at home,” Sharin said.
“We have to congratulate them for going out and taking the lead back. They fought hard and Ceres is not an easy team, so this result is good for the boys,” Sharin told the AFC website.
True enough, Ceres put up a gallant fight. The Busmen were down to 0-1 after the 11th minute penalty conversion of Stipe Plazibat, who booted out Global United in their two-leg Asean semifinal duel.
The Negros-based team did not go down without a fight as Kevin Ingreso and Rodriguez both had goals only to be disallowed for offside.
Martin Steuble hit the equalizer with a 30-yard goal heading into the break.
But Ceres has no answer to Harum’s late goal as Home United keeper Hassan Sunny, arguably the best goalie in the region, had wonderful saves to preserve their win.