Cebu will be representing the Philippines in the ASEAN Club Championship beginning next week.
Cebu FC finished off Kasuka FC in a 3-nil flurry at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila to seal their place in the group stage of the ASEAN Club Championship, also known as the Shopee Cup, ending the aggregate on a 4-2 advantage on Friday night.
Cebu, who earned their spot in the tournament after emerging as champions in the PFL “Golden Ticket” qualifiers in May, went into the home game down a goal in the aggregate, 1-2, after failing to overcome Jacob Njoku’s brace in their match in Brunei.
.jpg)
But Rico Andes picked up right where he left off in the last game, scoring the crucial two goals that got Cebu past Kasuka’s advantage in the aggregate with a brace of his own at Rizal.
Esrom Paulos scored the equalizer first when he pulled Cebu ahead at the 20th minute of the 2nd leg match, 1-nil.
Andes scored the crucial goal just six minutes after to make it a 2-0 advantage in the match and a 3-2 scoreline in the aggregate.
Andes then netted an insurance goal at the 78th minute to seal the deal for the PFL representatives.
DH Cebu were one of just two teams who got through to the group stage thanks to the qualifying playoff. The other team was Myanmar’s Shan United who overcame Laos’ Ezra FC.
Cebu is drawn to Group A in the group stage where they join defending champions Buriram United.
They open their campaign in the group stage against Singapore’s Tampines Rovers on Wednesday, August 20, at a yet to be determined venue.