AFC Champions League (Group F): Viettel FC turn on the power for resounding AFC Champions League victory over Kaya FC-Iloilo

Having been denied an opening day win by a Ulsan Hyundai FC stoppage time winner, Vietnam’s Viettel turned on the power from the start as they saw off Philippines side Kaya FC with two first half goals before completing the job with a rousing second half performance.

The win meant Viettel leapfrog BG Pathum United into second place on goal difference with both on three points. Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai FC lead with two wins, having defeated BG Pathum United 2-0 earlier on Tuesday.

Viettel had an explosive start to the match as they found the back of the net within the first 90 seconds with Bui Duy Thuong receiving a long-range cross in the final third before setting up Nguyen Hoang Duc for a fine finish.

Compared to their group opener, the Vietnamese champions were a completely different side as they produced their best, doubling their lead five minutes later when Nguyen Trong Hoang supplied an excellent through pass to Caique, who then outmuscled defender Masanari Omura in the box and slotted past ‘keeper Louie Casas.

To Kaya’s credit, the early goals did not demoralise them as the Philippines club went in search of goals but the disciplined Viettel defence, which even Ulsan Hyundai struggled to break past on Matchday One, kept them at bay.

Viettel’s strikers, however, found it easy to beat the Kaya defence with Caique coming close in the 22nd minute, only for his effort to brush past the left post, before Trong Hoang’s close range strike was denied by Casas six minutes later.

Viettel continued to press for a third with Caique always leading the attack, and while Kaya FC were able to keep their goal clear of danger, the Iloilo-based club found little opportunities of their own with custodian Tran Nguyen Manh rarely in action.

Heinz-Jurgen Gede’s Viettel side continued from where they left off after the break with captain Bui Tien Dung rising highest to head home Trong Hoang’s curling corner kick in the 49th minute.

There was no stopping Viettel who kept the barrage of attacks coming with Casas having to pull save after save to deny Trong Hoang and Caique, but the V.League club eventually found their fourth when the Brazilian collected Jahongir Abdumuminov’s pass and struck the bal into the bottom left corner.

Viettel sent on fresh legs to keep the attack going and substitute Vu Minh Tuan scored within his first 60 seconds on the pitch to leave Casas shocked in the 65th minute.

Duong Van Hao should have scored in the 81st minute when left unmarked outside the box only to strike a defender, but it mattered not as Viettel walked away with their first-ever win in the AFC Champions League.

Viettel will hope to continue their fine form when they go up against Pathum United on Friday, while Kaya will hope to bounce back against Ulsan Hyundai.