2 Azkals link up with Ceres for AFC Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Two more Azkals mainstays are joining Ceres-La Salle FC as the reigning national club champion adds muscle to its lineup in time for the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup group stages slated May 6-10 in Bacolod City.

Fil-Spanish defender Guani Guirado and veteran goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano became the seventh and eighth Azkals to hook up with Ceres, joining fellow nationals Patrick Reichelt, Carli de Murga, twins Marvin and Marwin Angeles and Jason Sabio in the Bacolod-based club.

Ceres stalwarts Joshua Beloya, Jason Cordova, Jason Panhay, Camelo Tacusalme, Jalsor Soriano, Arnie Pasinabo, Angelo Marasigan, J Baguioro, Tom Booth, Michael Casas, Prince Anthony, William Geridon and Lemuel Unabia, and Koreans Kim Jin Ho and Kim Sang Min hope to blend in well with the new additions as they try to become the first Filipino club to reach the final stage of the continental club tourney.

Ceres seeks to make the most out of the home field advantage to hurdle the tough challenge from North Korea’s Rimyongsu, Taiwan’s Tatung and Turkmenistan’s HTTU Agsabat in Group B of the qualifiers.

The top two teams in the bracket advance in the six-team final round in September.

Guirado, Sacapano, Reichelt, de Murga, the Angeles brothers and Beloya are expected to bring experience to Ceres, having previously played in the President’s Cup while suiting up for Global FC in last year’s group stage in Cebu City.