Ceres La Salle and Selangor were both satisfied after an entertaining 2-2 draw in the opening match of Group E in the 2016 AFC Cup at the Panaad Stadium in the Philippines on Tuesday.
Selangor had been second best to the hosts in Bacalod City for much of the game. But they came away with a point while Ceres -- making their debut in the tournament -- needed a late header from Adrian Gallardo to avoid an undeserved defeat against the Malaysians.
Ceres started as brightly as their all-yellow kit and put Selangor under pressure. New signing Stephan Schrock showed some of his former Bundesliga class by helping the hosts to control midfield as well as send an ambitious 35-yard shot over the bar after 10 minutes.
The breakthrough came shortly after and it was no surprise when it came from Schrock. The German-born star picked up the ball just outside the area and, despite close attentions from the Malaysian defence, let fly with a low shot that was helped into the net by the diving Norazlan Razali.
Somehow, Selangor drew level just after the half-hour with one of the biggest goalkeeping errors this tournament has ever witnessed.
Michael Casas was caught dawdling in possession just outside the six-yard box in the 34th minute. His eventual clearance was charged down by Olivi and despite his desperate efforts, the ball bounced off the debutant and rolled agonisingly over the line.
It took the wind out of the hosts' sails and it was only in the second half that Ceres recovered their earlier energy and aggression.
There was a let off for the visitors just before the hour. Bienvenido Maranon bundled the ball into the Malaysian net but the late flag went up for a very marginal offside.
And then within seconds, Selangor were ahead in spectacular fashion. The visitors were given a free-kick just to the left of the 'D' and there was Hafiz Kamal to lift the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net.
Ceres were stunned though almost got back on level terms 10 minutes later. A Patrick Reichelt long ball confused Azriq Nasrulhaq and there was Gallardo but the Spanish striker's shot bounced off the shoulder of Norazlan.
With 15 minutes remaining, Schrock was in the thick of the action once again. He squared the ball across the face of goal for fellow Philippines international Manny Ott to shoot just wide from a good position.
The pressure continued and so did the chances. With 10 minutes remaining, after good work from Reichelt on the right, Maranon should have done better than shoot tamely at the busy Selangor shot stopper.
With six minutes left, Ceres provided their equaliser. Schrock sent over a perfect looping cross from the left and there was Gallardo climbing above Raimi Mohd Nor to head into the roof of the net to give the Filipinos the point they deserved.