Ceres-La Salle FC stumbled down by South China AA of Hong Kong in extra time Tuesday night in their Round of 16 clash at Panaad Stadium. Brazilian midfielder Luiz Carlos scored in the 107th minute, leaving the home side and its fans stunned, and sending the Hong Kong powerhouse to the quarterfinals for the second straight year.
South China was in full confidence in the early going as they had the first shot on goal in the 3rd minute from Law Hiu Chiung. Law intercepted a weak clearance with his shot which went straight to Casas. The visitors were getting dangerous chances from corners and long throws from Chan Siu Ki, but the Ceres defense was equal to the attempts.
The Pinoys managed to carry the aggressiveness into the first 15-minutes of the added extra time, but fatigue started to set in, and signs began to point to a sudden-death penalty shootout after the extra time however, Brazilian midfielder Carlos made sure that there wouldn’t be any shootout as he blasted his sixth goal of the tournament off a set piece that caught Ceres-La Salle keeper Michael Casas off guard. Unfortunately for the Cebuano keeper, his only miscue of the match would prove to be the difference maker.
“We controlled the tempo in the second half, we had good chances. We didn’t capitalize (on) those goals. They were a lot. It so happened that a single mistake (happened), that we couldn’t avoid that its really a part of the game”, said Ceres Coach Frank Muescan. “They capitalized on that mistake and converted it into a goal. For us it’s a part of the game, were very confident that on the other games we can do a lot better. Because we can see that were almost there. We almost scored a goal, we have a lot a chances but were so unlucky tonight. This is football,” he added.
Though the result wasn’t in favor of home squad they can take solace in the fact that they have made Philippine Club football history by being the first club to top the AFC Group stages and qualify for the Round of 16. Ceres will now set their sights on the RHB Singapore Cup where they will face Garena Young Lions of Singapore on May 29 in the city state.
