VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi T&T will make their debut in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup against Muang Thong United of Thailand in the group phase today, March 2.

Missing in action: Ha Noi T&T players celebrate after scoring in a V-League match. The eam meet Muang Thong United of Thailand in their AFC Cup debut today. (Photo: VNS)

"I'm worried because I haven't got a full squad. Some players have been injured and others have fallen sick," said coach Phan Thanh Hung.

Goalie Duong Hong Son was injured during a V-League defeat three days ago along with Argentine forward Gonzalo Marronkle. Meanwhile, top striker Le Cong Vinh has yet to hit his best form following a lengthy injury absence while former national team member Thach Bao Khanh and midfielder Hong Minh are also sidelined.

As a result, Hung has left Vinh and Marronkle at home. "I have to think carefully before putting them on the field. It is too risky if they are not ready," he cautioned.

Hung said his team was aiming for a draw in their first game of the tournament.

"Muang Thong United are the strongest team in Group G and they have the advantage of playing at home so it will be difficult for us. Our chances of winning are 40-60," he said.

"Success would be for us to take a point from the game. To do that, we will have to play defensively and try and stifle their front line," Hung said, adding that his team was trying to secure the second place in the group.

Song Lam Nghe An were the other Vietnamese team competing in the AFC Cup TSW Pegasus of Hong Kong in Group F at their home ground yesterday, March 1.

Hong Kong-based TWS Pegasus came from behind to beat hosts Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) 2-1 in the Asian Football Confederation Cup's first group round yesterday in Vinh City.

Thousands of SLNA fans saw their team go 1-0 up in the 13th minute thanks to the boot of midfielder Nguyen Hong Viet.

However, Pegasus levelled the score in the 82nd minute from a penalty taken by Santos Filho Manoel.

The penalty resulted from a foul by Viet. Viet later received a second yellow card and was sent off.

Pegasus took full advantage of Viet's absence and scored a second goal two minutes later thanks to nifty work by substitute Gerard Ambassa Guy who had just come onto the field.

The loss means SLNA stay bottom of the group that includes Sriwijaya of India and VB Sport of Maldives, who played later yesterday.

In the next round, SLNA will travel to Male City to play VB on March 15.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News