CERES-Negros Football Club aims to solidify its hold of the top spot in the group stage when it faces Persija Jakarta of Indonesia in the 2019 AFC Cup tonight at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
Ceres-Negros currently holds the top spot of Group G with six points on two victories, while the visiting Persija Jakarta is at second place with four points on one victory and a draw.
Ceres-Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic admitted that they are still groping for form after not having a competitive game since their 3-1 win over Becamex Binh Duong of Vietnam last March 13.
“It was not easy to prepare but we have a game plan for this one,” Vidakovic said. “It was very hard for us because it is still preseason and we did not play a competitive game for two weeks.”
Spanish striker Bienvenido Marañon, for his part, said their approach remains the same against the Indonesians and that they will continue to work even harder as the season progresses.
“We have to control everything, and we have to be focused. If other teams will try to target me, there’s many good players that we have and they can do a good job,” Maranon said.
The Ceres-Negros and Persija Jakarta match is slated at 7:30 p.m. tonight and will be shown live on national TV on the 5Plus channel and on cable TV via Fox Sports 2./PN
