Singapore: The inaugural 2017 AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final kicks-off in Singapore on Wednesday as S.League side Home United host Filipino club Ceres Negros.
The two-legged tie, with the return clash coming a week later, will crown the club kings of Southeast Asia as well as the opponents of Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the Inter-Zone semi-finals on August 22.
Home United
Singapore’s Home United are channeling the 2004 generation with their performances so far this year in the AFC Cup after they defeated Filipino side Global FC to reach the ASEAN Zone Final.
The inaugural competition 13 years ago saw Home United go all the way to the semi-finals before a defeat to Syria’s Al Wahda. Since then, the Singaporeans have reached the quarter-finals on two occasions - in 2005 and 2008 - but this year’s team are poised to go even further and look to improve upon domestic rivals Tampines Rovers’ quarter-final finish last year.
Striker Plazibat netted a stunning last-minute winner in the semi-final against Global and the Croatian, who began his career at Hajduk Split’s Youth Academy alongside current Inter Milan star Ivan PeriÅ¡ić, has unquestionably been the key man for the S.League side with seven AFC Cup goals so far.
Ceres Negros
Filipino club Ceres Negros continue to make strides in the continental game as they followed up their Round of 16 appearance in last year’s AFC Cup with a place in the ASEAN Zone Final.
The Bacolod-based club edged into the knockout stages ahead of Vietnam’s Hanoi FC but even better was to come in the ASEAN Zone Semi-Finals, though, when Southeast Asian superpower and 2015 AFC Cup winners Johor Darul Ta’zim were defeated on away goals.
Ceres boast significant firepower up front in the shape of prolific forward Bienvenido Marañón, who has scored eight times so far, while the midfield is full of current Philippines internationals including Iain Ramsay, Stephan Schrock and Kevin Ingreso.
Ones To Watch:
Global FC v Home United
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore
Kick-off: August 2, 19:30 UTC+8
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com