Ceres beats Home United on aggregate to claim AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal title

eres Negros FC will next face Tajikistan's Istiklol FC in the Inter-zone semifinals. Courtesy of AFC.com

Ceres Negros FC shut out visiting Singaporean side Home United, 2-0, in the second leg of their AFC Cup Zonal finals at Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod on Wednesday to win 3-2 on aggregate and become the ASEAN champions.

The Philippine side struck early, as OJ Porteria put the Busmen ahead two minutes in and, 40 minutes later, Manny Ott doubled the lead via well-placed free kick.

AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Ceres.

“On behalf of the AFC football family, I would like to congratulate Ceres Negros for claiming the ASEAN Zonal Champions crown," Al Khalifa said in a message posted on AFC.com.

Ceres can achieve more in the inter-zone semifinals, where it will square off against Tajikistan's Istiklol FC.

Full Article: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/09/17/ceres-beats-home-united-on-aggregate-to-claim-afc-cup-asean-zonal-title