Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Selayang: Ceres La Salle became the first side from the Philippines to reach the AFC Round of 16 after the continental debutants shared a 0-0 draw with Selangor at Selayang Municipal Council Stadium on Tuesday.
Franklin Muescan’s side had shared a 2-2 draw with their Malaysian hosts in their AFC Cup opener in February but the meeting in Selayang was a tighter affair with few chances for either side.
But with Bangladesh’s Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club securing a shock 3-2 win over Tampines Rovers of Singapore in Group E’s earlier tie, the point is all Ceres needed to advance into the last 16 with second and third-placed sides Selangor and Tampines facing each other in the final group stage tie next month.
“We showed tonight that with the right heart and spirit, we did not give up down to the last man,” said Musecan. “For the first 10 minutes we were disorganised, but we regained our composure and discipline to get the point.”
With both sides working hard to gain control of the game opportunities on goal were at a premium with an injury to Selangor dangerman Patrick Wleh midway through the first half further blunting the hosts’ attack.
Argentine forward Mauro Olivi did his best to make up for the absence of the Liberian striker, though, and had the game’s best chance of the first half on the 30 minute mark as he beat two defenders before drawing a fine save from Michael Casas, diving low to his right to tip the ball round the post.
And just before the interval, Olivi went close again with his shot from outside the area this time flying wide of Casa’s near post.
After the break, the visitors did have chances of their own, none better than defender Jason Sabio’s header from Manny Ott’s corner that cleared Selangor goalkeeper Norazlan Razali’s crossbar by mere inches.
Azrif Nasrulhaq did have the ball in the Ceres net but his goal was ruled out for offside, before Olivi saw a free-kick curl within a fraction of the bottom right-hand corner.
The Filipino debutants were able to weather the remainder of the Selangor storm, though, and hold on for a priceless point that seems them into the last 16 with a game to spare.
“I am quite puzzled at how we did not manage to get three points, especially in the second half when we showed character and discipline,” said Selangor coach Zainal Abidin Hassan.
“The moment Patrick Wleh left the field injured, we felt clueless going forward. I feel that after missing our chances against Ceres, we have to face Tampines away in our last group match and treat it like a final.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports