Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ninh Binh: Vietnam’s Vissai Ninh Binh survived heavy pressure from Myanmar’s Yangon United to maintain their 100% record in Group G after holding on to claim a 3-2 win in the AFC Cup on Wednesday.
A fast start from Ninh Binh had seen the home side race into a two-goal lead after just 17 minutes with Dinh Van Ta and Romanian striker Petrisor Voinea on target at Ninh Binh Stadium.
And that cushion remained at the break as Van Ta’s penalty on the stroke of half-time cancelled out a 27th minute strike from Yangon’s Brazilian striker Cezar (Cezar Augusto Hermenegildo).
But fortunately for Ninh Binh, Yangon were unable to convert heavy second half pressure until Cezar added his second with just over a minute remaining as Nguyen Van Sy’s side added to last month’s 3-1 win over Hong Kong’s South China.
“I’m very satisfied, not only with the result, but also the spirit of our players. The only thing that I’m not happy with is the mistakes of the defensive line when Yangon attacked more and made more pressure,” said Ninh Binh coach Van Sy.
“But the most important thing is the result and we got more three points. Dinh Van Ta was our best player. He does not only score, but he is also a conductor in the midfield.
“Our target for the tournament is to progress to the next round.”
Playing with three forwards, Ninh Binh were rewarded for an encouraging start as Van Ta’s shot from distance beat Yangon goalkeeper Aung Wai Phyo after 12 minutes.
And just five minutes later the home side added a second as Voinea fired home Tran Manh Dung’s cross from inside the penalty area.
Following the double blow, Yangon looked for a quick response only for Ninh Binh goalkeeper Nguyen Van Hung to first deny Emerson (Emerson Reis Luiz) after 20 minutes before producing a double save from Kyaw Ko Ko two minutes later.
But the visitors were rewarded for their efforts as Cezar rifled home from just outside the penalty area midway through the first half.
The home side, though, restored their two-goal cushion in the last minute of the first half as Van Ta converted from the penalty spot.
With the visitors needing a response, Yangon coach Eric Williams rang the changes at half-time and the moved almost paid off with Kyaw Ko Ko and Cezar threatening the home side’s two-goal advantage.
But after Cezar was denied by Van Hung a minute after the hour mark, Yangon had to wait until the 89th minute for the Brazilian to claim his second of the match despite heavy late pressure from the visitors.
Cezar did have a chance to snatch a point for Yangon in stoppage time, but he failed to convert with the goal at his mercy.
“We did not start the game well, but after that we regained the tempo of the game we nearly scored to make it 2-1. I motivated the players at half-time and changed the tactics and used one more attacking midfielder in the second half to create more pressure,” said Yangon coach Williams after seeing his side fail to follow up last month’s 5-3 home win over Malaysia’s Kelantan.
“And we made more scoring chances, but we did not use any of them. You could say that we were unlucky, but everything is still in front of us.”