MANILA, Philippines – Ceres Negros FC absorbed a 1-1 draw to Hanoi FC in the 2019 AFC Cup Zonal semifinals on Tuesday, June 18, at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium in Bacolod. 

The Busmen are currently at a disadvantage as Hanoi leads on away goals thanks to Pape Omar Faye’s 67th minute equalizer. 

The home squad failed to maintain the lead where Bienvienido Marañon netted his 10th goal in the 2019 AFC Cup and continues to be the leading scorer. 

In the 57th minute, Stephan Schrock created enough space to deliver a cross to Marañon who headed it towards the bottom-right corner to open the scoreline. 

In the goalless first half, Ceres centerback Alvaro Silva intensifed the action with a yellow card in the 22nd minute. 

Both sides had difficulty converting their chances, but Hanoi had the upperhand in possession. 

Coming out of halftime, Hanoi looked more lethal as Faye managed to get one past Ceres keeper Roland Muller in the 51st minute, but it was ruled offside. 

After both teams registered one goal apiece in a span of 10 minutes, the Vietnamese club continued to threaten the Ceres backline and winger Hoang Vu Samson forced Muller to save in the 76th minute.  

Ceres and Hanoi will meet again in the 2nd leg on Tuesday, June 25, in Vietnam. – Rappler.com