Singapore: With the first leg of the 2017 AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final between Home United and Ceres Negros taking place on Wednesday, we focus on the clubs' top scorers – Stipe Plazibat (Home) and Bienvenido Marañón (Ceres) – to get their views and thoughts ahead of the clash at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Stipe Plazibat has netted seven times for Singapore’s Home United in this year’s AFC Cup and the Croatian, 27, has set the S-League alight in his two seasons in the Lion City.
Spaniard Bienvenido Marañón, meanwhile, has scored eight goals in eight AFC Cup games for Filipino side Ceres, and the 31-year-old has enjoyed a stellar 2017, having joined the club two years ago.
Q: How are you feeling ahead of the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final that kicks off on Wednesday?
Plazibat: I am excited, motivated, and can’t wait to get out on the pitch!
Marañón: I can’t wait for the game to get here. It’s the most important game that I will play in during my two years wearing the Ceres shirt.
Q: You have scored many goals in the 2017 AFC Cup so far, why do you think this tournament has been so successful for you?
Marañón: This year has been a big change from last year. This year I’ve been playing in my preferred positions – either striker or behind the striker – and this has been reflected on the pitch, both in the AFC Cup and the domestic league.
Plazibat: I don’t know the reason. This whole season I have been on fire, and hopefully I will stay in that mode!
Q: Which is your favourite goal that you have scored in 2017 AFC Cup so far?
Plazibat: The free-kick winner against Global! It was a last-minute goal which brought us to this Zonal final!
Marañón: My favourite goal was against Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia because it was against the best team in the competition, in their stadium, and I hit it really well from outside of the area.
Q: How are you preparing for the match against Home United, are you putting in any extra shooting practice or doing any special training?
Plazibat: We had an S.League match yesterday so my preparation was focused on that game, but now I am targeting the match with Ceres. I would say nothing special, though, in terms of training, the same as usual.
Marañón: The match is something special, two games that we know we need to be focused on from the very first minute until the last. One slip could see us eliminated, so we’re preparing very hard to avoid that. It’s the most important game in the history of our club, and we’re all aware of that.
Q: In your respective careers, did you always played as a forward?
Plazibat: No, originally I was a central midfielder. In Japan, they converted me to a striker.
Marañón: I have always played in the attacking areas. Behind the striker, striker or winger. I am most comfortable just behind the striker, that’s where I’ve been mainly playing this year.
Q: What do you think is your best asset on the pitch? And what would you like to improve upon?
Plazibat: I believe my finishing and link-up play are my best assets, and I would like to improve dribbling and heading.
Marañón: My best skill is combining the play with my teammates and my finishing in front of goal – if I get a chance, there’s no forgiveness! I would like to maybe improve the defensive side of my game a bit, ha ha ha.
Q: What is your advice for someone who wishes to become a successful forward in the future?
Marañón: My advice would be train everyday with the same intensity and excitement as your very first training. Train and reinforce the skills you have, and train even harder on those you want to improve!
Plazibat: First and foremost, hard work and then practice, practice and more practice! Also, you need to understand how to read the game, that helps a lot.
Q: Who is your football idol/hero - and why?
Plazibat: I like [Barcelona midfielder] Andrés Iniesta, a very smart player! Also I like Ivan Perišić [of Inter Milan], he was my teammate in the Hajduk Split youth academy and now he plays on such a big stage so he is kind of an inspiration.
Marañón: My first idol was Clarence Seedorf when he was playing for Real Madrid. I like [Manchester City midfielder] David Silva right now.
Q: What are your thoughts and opinions on each other?
Plazibat: He [Marañón] is a good and dangerous player, I have a lot of respect for him.
Marañón: I think he [Plazibat] is a very good striker in excellent form. He gives a lot to Home United, like winning the ball when they most need it, reading the game well and obviously scoring lots of goals.
Q: Do you have any final message for each other?
Plazibat: I just want to wish Bienvenido good luck and tell him may the best team win. Also, I’m hoping that I will be ahead of him in the AFC Cup topscorers race after these two matches!
Marañón: I hope things continue to go well for Stipe, as they have been so far… apart from the games against us!
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com