AFC |
By Ivan Saldajeno
BACOLOD--Ceres wasted no time in delivering the killer blow to SJD and cruised to a 5-0 blowout that gave the UFL club the top spot in Group E of the AFC Cup at the end of the group stage at the Panaad Stadium on Tuesday night.
Bienve Maranon opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Adrian Gallardo doubled the lead in the ninth.
Gallardo would accomplish a hat trick after firing two more in the second half, specifically in the 57th and the 64th minutes.
Patrick Reichelt sealed the win with a 70th minute attack.
Ceres will enter the round of 16 unbeaten with three wins and three draws and will take on the runner-up in Group G in the playoff opener.
South China, Yangon, and last year's qualifier tormentor Maziya dispute the last spot in the knockout stages with Yangon and Maziya facing off in Myanmar and South China battling top-seeded Mohun Bagan, which finally got a playoff opponent in Tampines after their 1-0 win against Selangor in a win-or-go-home battle in Singapore, in Guhawati on Wednesday night.
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