Philippines’ Ceres Negros FC was recently-named as South East Asian top football club based on the latest update of the AFC Club Rankings.
According to the rankings accumulator FootyRankings, the Negros Occidental-based club registered its best ranking at No.31 – surpassing Thai League outfit Buriram United – which slid to No.33.
The Busmen moved up in rankings after the recent forceful 5-0 dominance over Shan United of Myanmar and remained unbeaten in the ongoing AFC Cup 2019.
Ceres FC has been the most successful Filipino football club in the AFC since it began in 2016 – where it reached the Round of 16. however, the Negros-based club ended its campaign a 0–1 loss to South China of Hong Kong in extra time at the Panaad Stadium.
In 2017, Ceres Negros FC became AFC Cup ASEAN Zone Champions after defeating the Home United FC of Singapore in a home and away finals.
Despite securing a spot in this year’s AFC ASEAN Zonal semifinals, Ceres FC still need to play against Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong on May 15. The Busmen scored a 3-1 victory over the Vietnam club last March at the Binh Duong Stadium in Thu Dau Mot, Vietnam.
Meanwhile, among other ASEAN clubs included in the Top 50 are Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim at No. 36 and Thailand’s Muangthong United at No.43. Singapore’s Home United, on the other hand, is ranked No.51.
For the club management, Ceres Negros FC’s latest ranking proved that anything is possible for Philippine football with the right program and support.
Contributed story by Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
