Cebu FC finally grabbed its first-ever AFC Cup win after a 1-0 victory over Myanmar’s Shan United FC at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium Thursday evening.
The Gentle Giants were able to take the lead after Ken Murayama slotted home a goal in the 29th minute and never looked back.
This is the club’s first victory in an Asian club competition since forming in 2020.
Shan United, the reigning Myanmar National League champion, had opportunities to equalize in the 80th minute but it wasn’t able to convert its chances thanks to the air-tight defense of Cebu.
“The biggest thing for me is the response of the players. I really thought the players stepped up their level,” Cebu head coach Joshua Schrimer said.
The Gentle Giants moved up in Group F with a 1-0-2 win-draw-loss record while Shan United lost its first three games in the group.
Over in Malaysia, Stallion Laguna FC settled for a 2-2 draw against Terengganu FC.
Stallion built an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Finn McDaniel (6th minute) and Junior Sam (41st minute) in the first half.
But conversions from Sony Norde (45th) and Adisak Kraisorn (91st) leveled the game for Terengganu.
The Malaysian club rose up to second place in Group G with a 1-2-0 record while Stallion remains at fourth with a 0-1-2 record.
