Malaysia's Felda United remained firmly in the hunt for a place in the AFC Cup knockout round after recording a dominant 3-0 win over Ceres-Negros of Philippines at Shah Alam Stadium on Tuesday.

Syahid Zaidon got the hosts on their way with a stunning strike after six minutes, before Hadin Azman struck five minutes after the hour mark to put them firmly in control of proceedings.

From then on, there was only ever going to be one winner. But, just for good measure, Fazrul Hazli Kadri came off the bench to add a third for Felda, and seal their first three points of the campaign.

The victory tentatively takes B. Satianathan's charges level on five points with in Group G, getting their bid to qualify for the knockout round back on track after a disappointing start.

Entering Tuesday's clash rooted to the foot of the table, Felda knew anything less than a win would more or less end their hopes of progressing, and their desire certainly showed from the opening whistle.

They could not have asked for a better start as they broke the deadlock with just six minutes on the clock.

Pouncing on a loose ball down the right, Hadin laid it back into the path of Syahid, who unleashed a superb curling effort from all of 25 yards into the top corner.

Just two minutes later, it could easily have been 2-0. Zah Rahan Krangar nipped in ahead of the last defender to race through, only to be denied as his deft lob was clawed away by Roland Muller.

Ceres had their first opening in the 11th minute when Bienvenido Maranon briefly had a clear sight at goal, with his effort bravely blocked by Norfazly Alias. But, by and large, it was all one-way traffic to the hosts.

Making a mockery of their respective positions on the table, Felda continued to dominate proceedings and only had themselves to blame for not extending their lead before hal-time. Gaston Cellerino and Krangar both inexplicably missed gilt-edged chances from close range.

The visitors did show one or two signs that they could force their way back into the contest, with Maranon and Junior Munoz linking up well to set up Ramsay. But his fierce drive was cleverly tipped over by Farizal Harun.

But, in the 65th minute, Felda grabbed the second goal their performance deserved following a sweeping foray forward.

Running onto Krangar's pass and cutting inside his opponent, Norshahrul whipped in a dangerous cross that Manuel Herrera could only clear as far as to Hadin. He calmly brought the ball under control before blasting a volley past Muller.

And, with 14 minutes remaining, Felda capped off a fine day at the office with a little help from the opposition, as Muller spilled a routine catch from Alif Yusof's corner and allowed a grateful Fazrul Hazli to pounce and stab home from close range mere minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Felda United: Farizal Harun, Wan Amirul Afiq, Mootaz Jounaidi, Norfazly Alias, Alif Yusof (Aizulridzwan Razali 84'), Stuart Wark, Zah Rahan Krangar, Syahid Zaidon, Hadin Azman (Fazrul Hazli Kadri 74'), Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Gaston Cellerino (Fakrul Aiman Sidid 87')

Ceres-Negros: Roland Muller, Junior Munoz, Carli de Murga, Manuel Herrera, Jeffrey Christiaens, Luke Woodland (Jason de Jong 79'), Martin Steuble, OJ Porteria (Arnie Pasinabo Jr. 85'), Bienvenido Maranon, Iain Ramsay, Fernando Rodriguez

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by ESPN STAFF

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