Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hanoi: Vietnam champions Hanoi T&T eased into the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup after Nigerian striker Samson Kayode scored twice to secure a 5-0 win over Myanmar’s Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday.
Trinidad & Tobago midfielder Hughton Hector, Thach Bao Khanh and Pham Thanh Luong also scored at Hang Day Stadium as the Group F winners recorded a sixth win in seven games in the AFC Cup this season.
Nay Pyi Taw had finished second in Group H behind Hong Kong’s Kitchee after losing just two games, but Myo Hlaing Win’s side failed to build on their 1-0 win over Tampines Rovers in Singapore last month.
“I’m very happy with everything, the result and our players’ motivation and the way we controlled the game,” said Hanoi T&T coach Phan Thanh Hung.
“There were some problems in the first 20 minutes, but everything was resolved with the first goal.
“Our players tried their best to defeat the Myanmar side and I have nothing to complain about.
“I am satisfied with Samson’s performance. He did everything well, scored goals and broke the defensive line with his good movement.
“We will now try our best in the quarter-final.”
Hanoi opened the scoring after 34 minutes as Samson found Hector and the Trinidad & Tobago midfielder beat visiting goalkeeper Vanlal Hruai.
And inspired by the opening goal, Hanoi doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time as Samson followed up after Nay Pyi Taw goalkeeper Vanlal Hruai had saved from Argentinian striker Gonzalo Marronkle.
With their campaign on the line, Nay Pyi Taw pressed for a breakthrough in the second half but that only created space for Hanoi and the home side added a third two minutes after the hour mark through Bao Khanh.
The goal dented Nay Pyi Taw’s confidence allowing Hanoi to control the game and the home side increased their advantage five minutes later courtesy of Samson’s solo effort.
And with two minutes remaining, a free-kick from Vietnam international Thanh Luong sealed the win for the home side.
“I cannot explain this failure, the better team won,” said Nay Pyi Taw coach Myo Hlaing Win.
“Congratulations to Hanoi T&T. They played very well and made so much pressure today. They also made use of the scoring chances and we could not do the same.”