Late goal lifts China over Ceres

MANILA, Philippines – Ceres La Salle FC’s historic run in the AFC Cup reached a heartbreaking end as it suffered a numbing 0-1 setback in extra time to Round-of-16 opponent South China AA Tuesday night before a stunned crowd at Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.

Brazilian Luiz Carlos pounced on a Ceres defensive lapse to fire the game winner in the 107th minute as the Hong Kong side pulled the plug on the Busmen’s historic bid to advance to the quarterfinals.

South China progressed to the Last-8 for the second straight year.

Ceres coach Frank Muescan rued his wards’ failure to cash in on their chances in the match that needed an extension to settle.

“We controlled the tempo in the second half and we had good chances. But we didn’t capitalize on our goal-scoring opportunities. It so happened that a single mistake was made, sometimes we can’t avoid such a mistake, and they capitalized and converted it into a goal,” said Muescan.

South China broke through a minute into the second half of extra time with Law Hiu Chung sending a cross from the left side that Cameroonian Mahama Awal brilliantly headed to the onrushing Carlos who blasted it home virtually unmarked for the marginal goal.

Cheered on by hometown supporters, Ceres turned on the heat and created a bunch of opportunities at the start of second half but failed to cash in.