Group F – MD1: Yangon United FC 2-2 Ho Chi Minh City FC
Yangon: Myanmar’s Yangon United FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC of Vietnam settled for a 2-2 draw in their opening 2020 AFC Cup Group F tie on Tuesday. Yangon came back from an early deficit with two quick goals, but Nguyen Cong Phuong’s 42nd minute strike helped Ho Chi Minh salvage a point.
Ho Chi Minh were aiming to impress in their debut appearance and dominated the early proceedings at the Thuwunna Stadium, opening the scoring in the 11th minute when an unmarked Amido Balde headed in Ngo Tung Quoc’s cross from the right.
Yangon, who were Zonal Semi-finalists in 2018, bounced back just four minutes later when Emmanuel Uzochukwu rose highest to head home Maung Maung Lwin’s corner-kick.
The action-packed match saw the momentum swing Yangon’s way in the 19th minute after Maung Maung Lwin fired home a screamer from nearly 20 yards out to send the home supporters into a frenzy.
Just as the game seemed headed into the break in favour of Yangon, their defenders were caught napping when Pham Cong Hien’s lob found Nguyen Cong Phuong, who headed home from close-range in the 42nd minute.
Most of Yangon’s attacks were from the right flank and in the 66th minute, Maung Maung Lwin and Ernest Barfo linked up nicely with Barfo setting up Zin Min Tun with a fine cross into the box, but the substitute failed to get his volley on target.
Vietnam international Cong Phuong was Ho Chi Minh’s main threat and could have won it at the end for his side but his free-kick in added time was safely dealt with by the Yangon defence.
Yangon will host Lao Toyota FC on February 25, while Ho Chi Minh travel to Singapore to face Hougang United FC.
Photos: Yangon United
