THE CERES FC denied the Cebu Football Association-Cebu Queen City United (CFA-CQCU) from becoming the top Visayas qualifier after escaping with a 1-0 victory in their final match yesterday in the Visayas eliminations of the Philippine Football Federation (PFF)-Smart Club Championships in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The Ceres FC, which had all six of its Korean reinforcements on the pitch, took advantage of CFA-CQCU’s defensive lapse in the 72nd minute by drilling in the lone goal, which defender Miguel Gonzales failed to clear.
Team manager Stanley Villacin said CFA-CQCU had more shots on goal but just could not convert. The all-Cebuano team had its first chance very early in the ballgame when it was awarded a free kick courtesy of a handball call. However, the attempt sailed just an inch over the bar.
The win allowed Ceres FC to end the regional eliminations at the top of the Visayas bracket with six pointss while CFA-CQCU ended second with three points./CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON