Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kota Bharu: Vietnamese newcomers XM Vissai Ninh Binh maintained their perfect record in the AFC Cup after they came from behind to beat nine-man Kelantan 3-2 at the Sultan Mohammad IV Stadium on Tuesday for their third consecutive win in Group G.
The Malaysian side overcame the concession of a Kavin Bryan goal and the dismissal of forward Shakir Ali to take the lead when Nazri Ahmad and Khairul Izuan Rosli struck just before half-time.
But Izuan also saw red just after the half-time interval and the visitors took full advantage of the two extra men to pull away in the second half with goals by Patiyo Tambwe and Petrisor Voinea (pictured).
With the win, Ninh Binh moved up to nine points, three clear of second-placed Yangon United, who beat South China of Hong Kong 2-0 on Tuesday. Kelantan are third with three points.
The two teams were evenly matched in the opening exchanges but it was the visitors who went ahead in the 24th minute when Le Van Thang squared the ball from the left for Jamaican striker Kavin Bryan to slam a first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Things got worse for Kelantan when Shakir received his marching orders 10 minutes later after he reacted badly to a challenge by Sim Woon-sub and kicked out at the Korean while both players were on the ground.
But the home side responded superbly and got back on level terms after Nazri struck with a superb free-kick from 25 metres in the 37th minute.
And the hosts then caught their opponents on the counter in stoppage time at the end of the half as Zaharulnizam centred for an unmarked Izuan to tap the ball past goalkeeper Nguyen Van Hung.
But Izuan undid his good work just seconds after the resumption when he aimed a petulant kick at Sim and was also sent off to leave Kelantan with only nine players.
It did not take long for Ninh BInh to capitalise as Congolese striker Tambwe headed home a cross from the left in the 50th minute.
And just after the hour mark, Bryan teed up the ball for Voinea who fired an unstoppable effort past goalkeeper Syazwan Yusoff for the winning goal.
While delighted with his side’s third consecutive win in the competition, Ninh Binh coach Nguyen Van Sy admitted that his side had been fortunate.
“Kelantan played well. They did well to match up against us even though they were using their young players. But we were lucky since they played with only nine players,” he said.
Kelantan coach Steve Darby was unhappy with the petulant behaviour of Shakir and Izuan, whose red cards undermined the hard work of their teammates.
“For the first 45 minutes everything was going superb with the exception of the red card. Shakir will be fined as he let his teammates down,” said the Englishman.
“The second red killed us as I had to bring on substitutes earlier than planned because our nine men were exhausted. But I was proud of the attitude and effort of the players who were on the pitch.”
Photo: WSG