Written by: Ryan Low

Philippines invitee Ceres La Salle lost 3-2 to Brunei DPMM in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, but still won 5-3 on aggregate to progress into the last four of the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup.

After winning the first leg 3-0, Ceres pulled further ahead via goals in each half by Stephan Schrock and Bienvenido Morejon at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday night.

DPMM fought back well with goals from Shahrazen Said, Rafael Ramazotti and Brian McLean to win the game on the night, but it was not enough to prevent them from crashing out of the competition.

 

Ceres stamped their authority early in the game and scored after just 16 minutes, with Schrock thumping home a brilliant first-time volley after Jeffrey Christiaens had headed Jalsor Soriano’s deep cross into his path.

The reigning United Football League (UFL) champions then extended their lead in the 53rd minute as Spanish wide man Morejon managed to spot DPMM goalkeeper Wardun Yussof off the line before producing a stunning chip that sailed into goal from 18 yards out.

Credit to DPMM, they did not let their heads down despite the five-goal deficit on aggregate and duly pulled one back just a minute later. Half-time substitute Shahrazen controlled Azwan Salleh’s long ball well in the box, before firing past Ceres custodian Louie Casas to hand his side a lifeline.

 

The Wasps drew level on the night on 63 minutes, with Brazilian front man Ramazotti heading home Adi Said’s accurate right-wing cross.

Steve Kean’s side kept pushing forward in the dying moments of the game and grabbed another goal on the stroke of full time. Paulo Sergio’s free kick picked out McLean, who rose the highest in the box to nod past the outstretched left arm of Casas.

However it was too little too late as the S.League champions’ wait for a first-ever Singapore Cup continues.

 

Ceres La Salle head coach Ali Bernard: “The first half and start of the second half was good, but we made one mistake to allow DPMM to come back. That gave them extra power to finish the game strongly, but we finished our job which is to qualify for the semi-finals.

“It’ll be interesting for all of Singapore football to see Tampines vs Ceres. We played them twice in the AFC Cup earlier this year, so we know they’re a very good team. Hopefully we get a full squad back here and of course we’re targeting to win this competition.”

 

Brunei DPMM head coach Steve Kean: “Analysing both games, we saw a dramatic improvement in each second half – that’s the main reason why we lost.

“We gave them too much respect in the first halves; only when there is nothing to lose in the second halves, then we started to compete and not allow them too much time on the ball. It all comes down to self-belief and determination. Also their goalkeeper made six unbelievable saves over the two legs.”

Ceres La Salle: Louie Casas (GK), Jalsor Soriano, Jason Sabio, Kim Sang Min (C), Kevin Ingreso, Bienvenido Morejon, Paul Mulders (Arnie Jr. Pasinabo 55’), Marwin Angeles (Son Yong Chan 90’), Jeffrey Christiaens, Stephan Schrock, Nathaniel Burkey (Marvin Angeles 90’)

Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK), Rosmin Kamis (C), Yura Indera Putera (Shahrazen Said 46’), Brian McLean, Helmi Zambin, Azwan Salleh, Maududi Hilmi (Hendra Azam 56’), Najib Tarif, Azwan Ali (Adi Said 46’), Rafael Ramazotti, Paulo Sergio