Vietnam’s Hai Phong FC put up a brave fight but eventually succumbed to defeat after extra-time, with South Korean side Incheon United emerging as 3-1 winners in Tuesday’s AFC Champions League qualifying play-off match at the Incheon Football Stadium.
Fresh off beating Hong Kong side Biu Chun Rangers in the preliminaries, Hai Phong went straight for the jugular and took the lead in the 5th minute through Yuri Mamute’s strike against the run of play.
The Red Tide’s lead did not last long and in the 17th minute Incheon drew level. Paul-Jose M’Poku attempted to cross the ball towards an open Stefan Mugosa, but instead the ball struck Cheong Seong-hoon, who deflected the ball into Nguyen Dinh Trieu’s goal.
Both sides then proceeded to exchange attack after attack, undeterred by the torrential rain pouring over Incheon that made the pitch slick and muddy. However, no further goals were scored after 90 minutes, forcing the match to go into extra-time.
It was during these additional 30 minutes that Incheon finally found the push that they needed to finally gain advantage. In the 100th minute, Mugosa fed the ball to Gerso Fernandes, who in turn crossed it towards Hernandes who beat Dinh Trieu with a cool finish.
The win – and the ticket to the ACL group stages – was sealed in the third minute of injury time. Gerso managed to caught Dinh Trieu leaving his post and confidently slotted home into the empty goal for Incheon’s third of the evening.
The 3-1 win ensured that Incheon would be making their debut in the ACL proper, joining the likes of Ulsan Hyundai, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Pohang Steelers in representing South Korea this season. Hai Phong, in the other hand, are set to continue their continental quest in the 2023/24 AFC Cup group stages.