Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Da Nang: Nigerian striker Dickson Nwakaeme scored the only goal midway through the second half as Malaysian treble winners Kelantan extended unbeaten record in the AFC Cup this season with a 1-0 win over Vietnam champions SHB Da Nang in Group G on Wednesday.
Nwakaeme’s second goal of the campaign arrived four minutes after the hour mark at Chi Lang Stadium as Kelantan secured a third win of the campaign after the Nigerian striker had opened the scoring in last week’s 5-0 home win over Da Nang.
Despite suffering a second defeat in four games, Da Nang remain in contention to qualify for the Round of 16, while Kelantan’s place in the knockout stage was secured with two games remaining after Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United recorded a 3-0 win over Maldivian side Maziya Sports & Recreation.
“I rested some key players for this game and that’s why we couldn’t control the game as we wanted but our players played well with very high spirit,” said Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak.
“I agree that Da Nang were the better team. They are a good team with many high quality players. They had so many scoring chances in this game, but unlucky missed all of them.
“We had only two chances, but we scored one and that’s the most important thing to make the difference.”
Looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat in Malaysia, Da Nang controlled the tempo and Sebastian Merlo and Danny Mrwanda both had early chances for the home side after benefiting from good work from midfielders Nguyen Minh Phuong, Pham Nguyen Sa and Huynh Quoc Anh.
Kelantan, though also had their chances as Nwakaeme went close to an opener 14 minutes before half-time.
Da Nang continued to control the contest at the start of the second half, but Argentinean striker Merlo and Tanzanian frontman Mrwanda again wasted chances.
And with 17 minutes remaining Kelantan took full advantage as Nwakaeme raced clear of defenders Tran Hai Lam and Sabin Cosmin Goia before poking the ball past goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Binh from inside the area.
Da Nang could have snatched a point in the closing stages, but Nguyen Sa headed wide as Le Huynh Duc’s side suffered a second defeat of the campaign although they still hold a two point cushion over third place Maziya.
“It’s clear that we played well but we were unlucky. We missed many scoring chances,” said Huynh Duc.
“They made use of their rare chance to win the game, but that is football.”
Photo: WSG