VietNamNet Bridge – Sai Gon Xuan Thanh (SGXT) drew 2-2 with Tampines Rovers of Singapore in the fifth round match of the Asian Confederation Federation Cup yesterday, April 23, at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Striker Mohammad Khairul Amri Bin Mohammad Kamal opened the score for Rovers and one minute later Nsi Amougou put the match on equal terms with a penalty.

Moses Aloya put the host team ahead with a low shot inside the box but Sead Hadzibulic equalised.

With the draw, the HCM City-based football club accumulated eight points in total after five games to place second in Group H after India's East Bengal, who are on top of the table with 11 points.

SGXT will have to earn at least one point in the last-round game against Bengal to go through the knockout stage.

The visitors suddenly had the opener as Khairul headed home a Shadan Bin Sulaiman cross on the right following a long pass from Alexandre Duric from the left flank.

But Rovers' joy was short-lived when SGXT levelled the match immediately with the first attack after the kick-off. Defender Long Giang was released on the right flank and squared the ball across the front of the goal mouth and fell to Moses who dragged a low ball past Rovers keeper Sasa Dreven to put SGXT in front.

The second half was much more entertaining with continuous attacks at both ends of the pitch but, despite a handful of chances, there was one goal that was scored by Hadzibulic, who defeated Bui Tan Truong with a shot from the edge of the box.

"We came here to play an open game and hoped for a win but unfortunately we could not win. Moreover, it is tough to beat SGXT on their home ground but I'm happy with our team's performance," Rovers coach Nenad Bacina said.

SGXT coach Tran Tien Dai was not satisfied with the goal-scoring capacity from players upfront.

"We were not happy with the attacking line tonight. We created some chances but strikers could not capitalise on them. We will make some adjustments to show a new face in the upcoming game," Dai said.

Other Vietnamese representative, SHB Da Nang, also won a crucial 3-2 match against Ayeyawaddy United, of Myanmar, to open up the chance of qualifying for the next round when they only need a draw in the last round game against Maziya at home.

Source: VNS