Viettel FC could not make the supprise in the second match with Ulsan Huyndai

Ulsan turned on the power in the second half with the triumph taking their winning streak to five in the 2021 edition and record-extending 14th consecutive AFC Champions League victory and the defending champions only have to avoid defeat against BG Pathum United on Sunday to confirm top spot in the group. Defeat against the Thais will also likely not cost them as Ulsan should advance as one of the three best runners-up.

Vietnam’s Viettel, however, will be proud of their performance after giving Ulsan a stiff fight at the Pathum Thani Stadium.

When the two teams met on Matchday One, Viettel struggled to get a sight on goal but the Vietnamese champions were the first to come close in the return meeting through Truong Tien Anh in the fifth minute.

Viettel’s aggression, however, came in bits and pieces as their game plan was reminiscent of their first encounter as Ulsan struggled to find a way through.

The defending champions had to wait till the 23rd minute for their first chance when a swift exchange of passes between Valeri Qazaishvili and Kim Sung-joon saw the latter unmarked in the box, but debutant Viettel goalkeeper Quang The Tai made a comfortable save.

Quang was called into action again a minute later when Ulsan moved on a counter-attack that saw Kim Tae Hwan sending in a cross that was met by a rising Lukas Hinterseer, only for the offside flag to be raised.

Ulsan had a great opportunity in the 34th minute when Hinterseer intercepted a pass before finding Kim Ji-hyun, who beat the offside trap but was unable to convert past Quang.

The K League side continued to dominate possession in the second half and they broke the deadlock four minutes in when Qazaishvili beat three defenders before slotting past Quang from a tight angle.

Boosted by the goal, Ulsan moved with more confidence and scored their second in the 55th minute when Hinterseer rose highest to head home Hong Chul’s curling cross.

In an attempt to salvage the tie, Viettel head coach Heinz-Jurgen Gede sent on Caique and Nham Manh Dung at the hour mark and the Brazilian came close to pulling one back six minutes later but couldn’t keep his header down.

Hinterseer tormented Viettel again in the 75th minute but Quang was alert to the threat while substitute Oh Se-hun also had a go, only to see his header miss by mere inches six minutes later.

Oh, however, wouldn’t miss in the 86th minute as he finished Lee Chung-yong’s cross with a blistering strike to make it 3-0.