Hanoi T&T crushed Felda United, from the Philippines, 4-1 in the AFC Cup, yet the win may not be sufficient to ensure the Hanoi team proceeds to the next round.

Van Kiem (right, Hanoi T&T) reaches out for the ball against Wan Zack Haikal (left, Felda United). 

Both Hanoi and Felda United are sat at 11 points in group G. But FU will go to the next round thanks to its head-to-head record. Hanoi T&T will have to wait until the end of the qualifying round to see if they can advance.

Two matches will take place at the same time, and Hanoi’s chances depend on the other match between Ceres and Tampines Rover.

Hà Nội started the game in high spirits with a strong lineup. At 3’, the first ball was headed toward Felda United’s goal but missed the target by just a foot.

By the 30th minute, the match speed had risen and holes had started to appear in both teams defenses. Despite the chances no goal was scored in the first half.

At 49’, Van Quyet pulled off a tricky header toward the opposition’s goal, but the keeper was quick to gather the shot.

At 52’, in a seemingly harmless situation, Đức Huy suddenly shot from 30 metres out. The ball went straight for the corner of the net and the keeper could do little but watch the shot sail past him.

At 73’, in the other match, Ceres raised the score to 4-2 over Tampines Rover. The doors seemed to have narrowed for Hanoi  FC.

At 76’, Van Quyet added another goal for Hanoi to make it 2-0. From 20 metres out, Van Quyet hit a decisive shot at the far corner.

Only 10 minutes later, Van Quyet put his second goal into FU’s net, raising the score to 3-0.

The next goal came at 90’ without much effort when forward Hung Dung lightly shot towards the near corner.

In the final move of the game at 92’, Cellerino of Felda United was awarded a penalty, which he scored. The referee blew his whistle and that was game over. Hanoi T&T beat Felda United 4-1 and placed 2nd in the table. 

VNS