Than Quang Ninh succumbed to a 5-4 defeat against Home United despite equalizing after going two goals down in their Group H clash at the My Dinh National Stadium last night.
Nazim opened the score for Home United before Plazibat doubled the lead, but Than Quang Ninh fought back bravely and got the equalizers through Jantan’s own goal and Văn Hiếu’s strike.
Croatian striker Stipe Plazibat scored two quick-fire goals in the 64th and 67th minute to complete his hat-trick.
Captain Vũ Minh Tuấn reduced the deficit to 4-3 with his 78th-minute strike, but Plazibat grabbed his fourth of the night with four minutes remaining to restore his side’s two-goal cushion.
Winger Nghiêm Xuân Tú made it 5-4 in the stoppage time but it wasn’t enough for Than Quang Ninh.
The result sees Phan Thanh Hùng’s side remain at the bottom of Group H, while their S.League opposition moved into first, in prime position for a place in the Zonal semi-final qualification spot after three games played.
Meanwhile, Filipino outfit Global FC got past Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim 3-2 in a thrilling Group F match on Wednesday.
The result means that Global top the group standings with nine points followed by JDT on seven with two matches to play.
Dennis Villanueva, Shu Sasaki and Amani Aguinaldo all got on the scoresheet for Global in the first half as they looked to be cruising to victory.
Argentine forward Gabriel Guerra pulled two goals back for the visitors in the second half to give the hosts a nervy final period before the final whistle.
In the other Group F encounter, Myanmar’s Magwe FC and Cambodian League side Beoungket Angkor FC drew 1-1 in Yangon.
Khuon Laboravy netted the opener for Beoungket in the second half and shortly thereafter the equaliser was scored by Sekou Sylla.
The result leaves Magwe bottom of the group with two points behind Beoungket on four.