VietNamNet Bridge – Song Lam Nghe An beat Tampines Rovers 2-1 and edged closer to a slot in the Asian Football Confederation Cup’s knock-out stage yesterday.

On song: Michael Olaha of Song Lam Nghe An (second, left) heads home the opener in his team’s 2-1 victory against Tampines Rovers yesterday in Vinh City. — Photo foxsportsasia.com

The Vietnamese representative now has 10 points after five matches and top Group H. The Singapore team meanwhile is rooted at the bottom with only one point.

Despite fielding a young team, Song Lam Nghe An set the tempo from the off at the Vinh Stadium.

It took just 16 minutes to break the deadlock.

Nigerian Michael Olaha rose highest to meet a Dau Thanh Phong corner and his bullet header had goalkeeper Muhammad Syazwan Bin Buhari beaten at the far post.

The goal rocked the visitor who piled on the pressure and equalised 10 minutes later.

The home side defended a corner but the ball dropped to Japanese midfielder Ryutaro Megumi who cross found Irfan Najeeb in the right place to loop a header over goalkeeper Le Van Hung and bring the scores level.

Song Lam Nghe An’s U23 midfielder Phan Van Duc were given two threatening chances near the interval but his attempts were denied by Buhari.

The visitors then came within a whisker of taking the lead early in the second half, but Khairul Amri’s effort hit the post and fell safely into the hands of keeper Hung.

Duc and Ohala continued attacking Buhari’s net in the second half but it was Ho Tan Tai’s turn.

Fahrudin Mustafic of Tampines Rovers tried to clear a right-wing pass from Le The Cuong. His attempt however gave the ball to Tai who duly poked home.

With the win Song Lam Nghe An maintained their unbeaten home record.

They next head to Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim on April 24 in their final match of the group phrase.

Tampines Rovers on the other hand remain winless in this tournament. They will next host Persija Jakarta of Indonesia.

In Group G today, Vietnamese FLC Thanh Hoa will meet hosts Global Cebu FC of the Philippines at the McKinley Hill Stadium. In their first leg game, Thanh Hoa won 1-0 last month.

Source: VNS