Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bacolod City: Adrian Gallardo scored a 87th minute equaliser as Philippines champions Ceres La Salle snatched a 2-2 draw with Malaysia’s Selangor FA in Group E on Tuesday.
Recent signing Stephan Schrock opened the scoring for Ceres in front of an 8,000 crowd at Pana-ad Park and Football Stadium only for Argentine Mauro Olivi to equalise for Selangor 11 minutes before half-time.
Mohamad Kamal then completed the turnaround for the visitors on the hour mark only for Gallardo to net with three minutes remaining to earn a point for Ceres.
“It’s a good start for us,” said Ceres coach Franklin Muescan. “The boys showed their heart. They proved that we can level up against one of the strong teams in the competition.”
“There was a lot of emotion within the team since it was a historic night for the club. The goal helped us settle down but after an individual mistake the level of our play dropped. But we didn't give up mentally.”
Ceres looked the more threatening side early on with Bienvenido Maranon getting the match’s first real chance in the 18th minute when his volley off a Gallardo cross was palmed away by Selangor goalkeeper Norazlan Bin Razali.
The home side kept up the high pressure and Maranon won the ball at the top of the box, before finding Schrock who froze the defense with a piece of skill before firing into the bottom corner.
Selangor sprung to life in the 28th minute this time Muhammad Nazmi firing over from 30 yards after good work from Patrick Wleh on the left.
But the lead lasted just 18 minutes as Selangor striker Olivi blocked a clearance of Ceres goalkeeper Michael Casas, who watched helplessly as the ball rolled past the line and into the back of the net.
Ceres came out with renewed vigour after the break with Kevin Ingreso combining with Manny Ott who skied his effort from just outside the box.
But it was Selangor which took then took the lead with a brilliantly taken free-kick from Kamal on 60 minutes.
The home side looked like it had scored the equaliser three minutes later when Maranon slotted the ball home after a Reichelt cross only to be waived off for offside. But Ceres stayed relentless and were rewarded with Gallardo’s late leveler.
“Although we missed out on three points, one point is good for us here,” Selangor coach Zainal Abidin Hassan.
“We have achieved our target to collect a point. It was very tough match. We know Ceres is a very good team and they play good football.
“My players were disciplined until the end. Although we conceded a late goal, it was a good game for both teams.”