Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Pyongyang: A Carlos Leonel brace helped Benfica Macau secure a stunning 3-2 away win against DPR Korea’s Hwaepul SC to make it two wins from two in the debut AFC Cup campaign at Kim Il Sung Stadium on Wednesday.
The Macau champions had sensationally come-from-behind to win by the same scoreline in their Group I opener against Hang Yuen FC last week, but this result, in front of 22,000 in the DPR Korea capital, could go down as among one of the finest in recent Macanese football history.
Leonel, who also scored a double against the Chinese Taipei club in the memorable comeback on March 7, opened the scoring after just seven minutes in Pyongyang, only to see parity restored on the 13th minute via Hwaepul captain Jong Chol-hyok from the penalty spot.
Kyrgyz international David Tetteh then restored Benfica Macau’s lead just before half-time to make the score 2-1 to the visitors at the break.
Just four minutes after the restart, though, Hwaepul SC forward Pak Chol-song levelled the scores once more, before the final say went to Benfica Macau and Leonel who stunned the home crowd with the winner 15 minutes from time.
The victorious Macau team now sit on six points in the standings and will return to Pyongyang to face 4.25 SC on April 11, with Hwaepul SC yet to pick up a point in their maiden campaign and next hosting Hang Yuen FC.