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| Ceres Negros' Bienve celebrates after scoring the lone goal of their return fixture at Shan United from the spot. AFC photo |
By Kevin Estrada
MANILA--Ceres Negros retain the lead in Group F of the AFC Cup after holding off Myanmar's Shan United in their return tie by the slimmest of scorelines at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on Wednesday night.
In a hot and extremely physical encounter, the visiting Busmen needed an early penalty by Bienvenido Marañon to keep them on top of their group, maintaining their unblemished card with their third win to hike their tally to 10 points.
This was despite giving up more possession and passes to the home side, who are in a turmoil following Soe Myat Min's shock departure during the weekend.
The Spanish winger duly put Ceres ahead in the 14th minute by rooting Phone Tit Sar Min to his place with his spot kick to the right side of the post after Hein Phyo Win handled the ball on the ground.
OJ Porteria could have sealed the deal but he muffed two chances to double their lead with his initial effort hitting the post.
Tempers flared near full time when Hein escaped the dismissal after a brutal tackle to Manny Ott, as his younger brother Mike was booked after pushing the defender afterwards.
However, that did not dampen the reigning PFL titlists as they ended their trilogy with the reigning Myanmar champions by sweeping all of their tiffs.
Follow him on Twitter: @KevinLEstrada
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