Ceres La Salle and Kaya FC rewrote history once again as they became the first two Filipino teams to enter the knockout stages of the 2016 AFC Cup.

Already qualified Ceres needed a win to guarantee top spot and home advantage in the Round of 16. They duly demolished a hapless Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi 5-0 in Bacolod on Tuesday night.

Kaya hoped for a victory and a Kitchee loss to go top, but will qualify as runners-up of Group F after a goalless draw against New Radiant in Male.

Here are three thoughts from the Filipino clubs' results on Matchday 6:

1. Superb Ceres are deserved group winners

With results domestically so far failing to live up to their high expectations, Ceres have looked to the AFC Cup for respite.

Keen to put their opening day loss to league challengers Loyola Meralco Sparks behind them, Ceres delivered the perfect response as they thumped Bangladesh's Sheikh Jamal in a five-star performance.

"We prepared really well, but the big factor was losing in the league... that was an eye-opener for us," coach Frank Muescan told the-afc.com

"We knew we needed to address some problems on the pitch."

Adrian Gallardo cemented his reputation as one of the most feared strikers in the AFC Cup with a hat trick and Patrick Reichelt did his reputation no harm with two assists and a goal at Panaad Park.

Ceres finish the group as the only undefeated team, with three wins and three draws, to top Group E.

Qualifying ahead of Tampines Rovers and Selangor is no small feat for the Bacolod squad.

2. Kaya make it two out of two

After missing a chance to clinch a spot in the next round on Matchday 5, Kaya travelled to Maldives hoping to make amends.

They started the game with trademark quick and aggressive balls, as Louis Clark made a nuisance of himself in the final third. But it would be New Radiant who would have more half-chances to break the deadlock.

Sparkplug OJ Porteria (suspension) and midfield warrior Alfred Osei (injured) were unavailable and their absence was greatly felt. Kaya struggled to break down and keep pace with a New Radiant side with nothing to lose.

Bannered by veterans Aly Borromeo and Masa Omura, and backstopped by the reliable Matthew Acton in goal, defensive solidity has been a hallmark of Kaya in this AFC Cup campaign.

Conceding two goals all tournament-long, Kaya would again shut out a New Radiant team who haven't scored since the first Matchday.

Kaya would have loved to win to generate momentum going into the Round of 16. But a draw away from home to clinch a spot in the next round is still a wonderful achievement for the debuting side from the Philippines.

3. Sterner tests await both teams

One day after a divisive national election was held, the Philippines found reason for unity in Ceres and Kaya as they cheered their progress to the next round.

Kaya will face defending AFC Cup champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) in Malaysia in two weeks' time, easily the biggest test for the Manila-based squad in their history.

Owner Santi Araneta described JDT as "the toughest team we have ever played".

Kaya would be lamenting not getting a result against Kitchee in Manila which could have seen them top the group and play their Round of 16 game at home.

Even so, as coach Chris Greatwich puts it: "To qualify for the knockout phase is an incredible achievement for the club."

After an expensive offseason, Ceres' qualification at the top of the group against quality opposition is an important statement of intent.

The club's home ground advantage is massively important as they get to play in front of their rabid home fans at a packed Panaad Park,

The Spanish combination of Gallardo and Bienvenido Maranon has clicked into full gear and with Patrick Reichelt marauding down the flanks, Ceres are well and truly poised to take this AFC Cup run even further.

Ceres will play their Round of 16 match against South China on May 24.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Ryan Fenix

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