MANILA, Philippines – Visayan club Ceres shocked the newly crowned United Football League champion Stallion with a 1-0 victory at the Panaad Stadium in Bacolod yesterday to book a slot in the win-or-go-home quarterfinals of the PFF-Smart National Club Championships.
Ceres’ Korean import Kim Jung Mook scored the marginal goal in the first half then the rest of the squad played a smothering defense to deny a Stallion equalizer in the second half.
The upset denied what could have been a grudge rematch between Stallion and Global in the quarterfinals as Ceres became the first and only non-UFL squad to make it to the quarterfinals.
Ceres will meet Global, who fell to Stallion in the UFL Cup Finals, in the next round.
Over at Rizal Memorial Football Stadium yesterday, Global leaned on a costly error by Nomads to give their new Scottish coach Brian Reid his first victory in Philippine soil.
Azkal mainstay Carli de Murga scored on a rebound in the 71st minute to put Global on board. Eleven minutes later, Nomads defender Sam Fogg headed in a Jeffrey Christiaens’ pass to Patrick Reichelt inside the box. That own goal gave Global the cushion to win the match even after Nomads newcomer Bafio Magassa scored in the injury time.
Earlier, Pasargad also advanced after a hard-earned 2-1 win over Phil. Army in a highly-physical match.
Pasargad will face last UFL Cup’s surprise team General Trias in the exciting knockout quarterfinals stage which will also feature Kaya-Loyola Meralco Sparks and Green Archers United Globe-Pachanga matches over the weekend.