ANALYSIS: A GAME OF TWO HALVES AS CERES ARE CROWNED AFC CUP ASEAN ZONAL CHAMPIONS

Bacolod City: Ceres Negros were crowned AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal champions on Wednesday after a 2-0 victory over Singapore’s Home United in the second leg of the ASEAN Zonal Final, which saw

the Filipino side reverse a 2-1 deficit from the first leg to win 3-2 on aggregate.

Next up for The Busmen is Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the Inter-Zone Semi-finals in two weeks’ time, and if Ceres can produce anything like the first-half urgency and second-half tactical nous they showed against Home United, then there is little reason why they cannot prolong their remarkable run.

Never before has a side from the Philippines performed so well in the continental competition but, a goal down from the first leg, Ceres came roaring out of the blocks at Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium as they refused to let their visitors settle into the game.

Key to Ceres’ strong start was left-sided midfielder Iain Ramsay, who was kept largely on the periphery last week when he didn't create a single chance, yet was instrumental in an opening period that stunned Home United.