Tran Tien
Football Tribe Vietnam
Two goals from Nguyen Quang Hai gave Vietnam’s Hanoi FC a narrow advantage with a 3-2 victory over Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan in AFC Cup inter-zone play-off semi-final.
Hanoi found themselves behind within just four minutes after a fail backheel pass from Pham Duc Huy gave the chance for Murat Yakshiyev to score, which he duly tucked away.
After conceding the early goal, Hanoi FC pushed forward in search of the equalizer, throwing caution to the wind in need of a good home result to have any chance of profession. The defending V.League champions thought they found it in the 23rd minute but were denied twice when shots from Omar Faye and Papa Kebe came off the crossbar.
The pressure from Hanoi finally brought them the goal they needed in the 41st minute. Quang Hai produced a moment of magic to level the tie with the beautiful free-kick.
Hanoi remained controlling the game in the second half and hit the front with a goal just a minute after the hour mark, as Quang Hai scored again with the nice strike.
Despite earning the lead after a hard-fought play, Hanoi threw it easily with the mistake from a defender. A poor pass from Van Dung in 63 minutes created the good chances for Annadurdyyev to level the games again.
The hosts continued to surge forward and they scored the third goal in the 83rd minute thanks to a successful penalty kick from Van Quyet.
With the slender lead after the first leg, Hanoi may find it difficult in the second leg next week at Ashgabat.