Match Preview: Ceres-Negros v Felda United

Ceres-Negros FC will face another test against Malaysia’s Felda United on March 15 at the Panaad Stadium. The Bacolod-based squad is keen to extend it’s momentum with the club who qualified for the continental competition by placing second in the 2016 edition of the Malaysia Super League.

The Bacolod squad scored its first win in the AFC Cup with a drubbing of Singapore’s Tampines Rovers last March 8 winning with a 5-0 scoreline. The win put them first place in Group G with their previous result reverberating around the region.

“I think we respect Ceres because of their performance,” said Felda Coach Satiananthan R. Bhaskran. “I saw them playing they’re a very organized side, they have good players and I think a draw will be a bonus for us because this is our first experience in the AFC Cup and I wish we can learn something from this game. My priority is to get a point off this team and one point is a bonus for us,” the visiting Coach added.

Though Felda may have lost in their first game against Tampines, The Malaysian outfit almost won against Hanoi in Kuala Lumpur save for the injury time equalizer by the Vietnamese squad. Ceres Coach Risto Vidakovic has nothing but good words for the visitors. “We have a different opponent, for me much better, more organized. It will not be easy to beat them but I hope the players will be ready to try to win the game”

Ceres goalkeeper Roland Muller believes that Felda has come to Bacolod not for a draw but to get full three points as anything less would knock them out of contention. “This is the last chance for Felda and they have to play more offensively, to try and score, because a draw is not enough,” said Muller. “We watched some games already and we know how we can find solutions against them,” the Filipino International added.

Ceres-Negros is hoping for the same support against Felda and the team is relishing to give another good performance in front of a capacity crowd on Wednesday.  “Were looking forward for this game, to continue there were we finished, and I hope for the same support like the last game,” said Muller.

The Busmen will be fit and complete come Wednesday and are raring to get a good result from their second home game. Ceres is hoping to get a win and take pole position in Group G. The match will be aired live over Fox Sports starting at 7PM.