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Anthony Modeste's brace help send Tianjin Quanjian into the AFC Champions League proper at Ceres Negros' expense. Asian Football Confederation
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By Kevin Estrada
MANILA--The bus turned into pumpkins today in China as Ceres Negros' Cinderella run towards the AFC Champions League proper was put to an quick end by Tianjin Quanjian, as the Chinese side march on to the group stage with a clinical 2-0 win in their East Zone playoff.
Defying the jet lag and the visa issues a week after shocking Brisbane Roar down under, Risto Vidakovic's men did not go to the midnight quickly in the city's Olympic Center Stadium by putting up a good fight against Paulo Sousa's side despite arriving there just 12 hours ago.
Anthony Modeste's brace send the hosts through to Group E where K-League's Jeonbuk Hyundai, Hong Kong's Kitchee and the winner of the other playoff between Kashiwa Reysol and Muangthong United awaits them.
Modeste put the home side ahead in the 19th minute, towering over everyone for a thumping header that left Toni Doblas no chance.
The former Cologne forward put the tie to bed with a right-footed shot that was assisted by former Brazilian international Alexandre Pato in the 57th minute.
The Busmen had a lot of chances as well, but they cannot find a way past Zhang Lu as the inaugural PFL titlists can set their sights in defending their ASEAN Zone crown in the AFC Cup, where a reunion with Myanmar's Shan United is set in stone in Group F.
Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada
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