Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hanoi: Nguyen Ngoc Duy scored twice in the second half as Vietnam champions Hanoi T&T ensured home advantage in the last 16 of the AFC Cup with a 2-1 win over Group F runners-up Arema Indonesia on Wednesday.
Veteran striker Cristian Gonzales had opened the scoring for Arema after 15 minutes at Hang Day Stadium with the visitors needing a win to leapfrog Hanoi at the top of the table with both sides already secured of a place in the last 16.
But after Ngoc Duy pulled his side level from the penalty spot eight minutes after the hour mark, the striker completed the comeback with 15 minutes remaining to hand Hanoi a fifth win in six games.
Hanoi will now entertain Myanmar’s Nay Pyi Taw on 14 May for a place in the quarter-finals, while Arema will travel to Hong Kong to face Kitchee.
“We’ve got some problems with our physical condition because of the busy schedules, so we did not start the game well. But I think the most important thing is we kept our fighting spirit despite the difficult situation,” said Hanoi coach Phan Thanh Hung.
“We remained motivated then changed everything in the second half. The main reason which made the difference was scoring goals. We controlled the game and made use of scoring chances better than the first half.
“About the next round, I’ve got some necessary information about the Myanmar side, and I’m really confident to progress to the third round because we the advantage of playing at home.”
Needing to win to claim home advantage in next month’s one-off Round of 16 tie, Arema enjoyed the ideal start as the visitors took the lead after just 15 minutes as Gonzales netted following good work from Brazilian striker Beto.
But having struggled in the first half, Hanoi came out fighting in the second period and finally drew level with 22 minutes remaining as Ngoc Duy converted from the penalty spot after Nigerian striker Samson Olaleye had been upended inside the area.
And spurred on by the equaliser, the home side completed the turnaround seven minutes later as Ngoc Duy struck his second of the contest.
“We played quite well in the first half with simple playing methods and good discipline. There were some changes in the second half, but Hanoi T&T played better than us and they scored the goals to make the difference,” said Arema coach Suharno.
“I think that our players really tried their best, but Hanoi are better than us, so they deserved to win and they showed their real ability to be on the top of the group.”