Nguyen Van Quyet's solitary goal in the 33rd minute was enough to decide the all-Vietnamese contest at Binh Duong Stadium in a game that the visitors shaded but was not without chances for the home side.

While Hanoi struck the woodwork and came close on several occasions, Binh Duong's captain Nguyen Anh Duc – on as a late substitute – could have salvaged a draw after having two sights on goal in the closing stages.

Torrential rain proceeded kick-off between the Vietnamese pair at Binh Duong Stadium and it was the visitors who coped best in the tricky conditions. They were given the perfect chance to take the lead shortly after the half hour when Nguyen Hung Tien Duc upended Ngan Van Dai and the referee pointed to the spot.

Skipper Van Quyet was the man tasked with putting his side in front only to see his first attempt parried out by Tran Duc Cuong but he then reacted quickest to prod the rebound into the back of the net from close range, much to the delight of the small pocket of Hanoi fans behind the goal.

On a night of high drama, Van Quyet reacted quickest on 33 minutes to drill the ball past Binh Duong goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong after seeing his penalty saved by the home custodian.

The goal gives Nghiem Chu Dinh’s charges a distinct advantage ahead of next week’s return leg in Hanoi and with Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr FC waiting for the eventual winners in the Inter-Zone Semi-finals.

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