The top-flight Philippine side are huge underdogs going into the match, but what do we know about Ceres and do they stand a chance?

Founded in 2012, the Busmen’s history is short but sweet. They have never finished outside the top two in the league and comfortably won the title last season, defeating Global Cebu in the final series.

Spaniard Bienvenido Maranon is their greatest threat, scoring 22 goals in Ceres’ title-winning 2017 season.

However, Maranon isn’t the only Spaniard in the team. He is accompanied by former Real Betis goalkeeper Toni Dolbas – who crossed paths with John Aloisi in the 2005 Copa del Rey final.

Despite Aloisi scoring the equaliser on the night, Dolbas’ Real Betis took home the trophy, defeating Osasuna 2-1.

Ceres’ head coach Risto Vidakovic also has links to Spanish football. The well-travelled Serbian made over 100 appearances for Real Betis and spent time coaching in Honduras, before being appointed the Busmen's boss in 2016.

Last week, Vidakovic’s side defeated Myanmar’s Shan United 4-3 on penalties, securing a second-round tie with Brisbane Roar.

Reaching Tuesday’s tie in Queensland has been a hard-fought task for Ceres and they'll be met by a strong Brisbane eleven. 

“We have to make sure we play high tempo football,” revealed Aloisi. “We know that they’ve done a lot of travelling after going to Myanmar and then coming here.

“We know that their season hasn’t really started, so we know they won’t be as fit as us.”

Vidakovic is also well aware of the difference in fitness, but is relishing the opportunity. 

“They are middle of the season, we are in preseason," he said. "There’s a big difference in intensity but I hope we can compete with them.

“We’ll compete at one-hundred percent. Anything can happen – football is full of surprises."

Brisbane Roar v Ceres-Negros gets underway at 7:30 local time on Tuesday night in Brisbane.

The winner will face Chinese outfit Tianjin Quanjian in the final round of qualifying.