Group I: Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM) 0-1 Viettel FC (VIE)

The group hosts had started with a bang, dismantling Laos’ Young Elephants 5-1 on the opening day, while Phnom Penh Crown threw away a two-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Singapore’s Hougang United in their first match of the group.

Despite the narrow final score at Thong Nhat Stadium, it was the home side that dominated from start to finish, creating chances at will but failing to convert them into more goals.

After early shy attempts from both sides, it was Viettel who took the lead in the ninth minute as Nguyen Hoàng Duc snatched the ball inside the opposition half and set up Bui Duy Thuong who rifled an effort into the back of the net from 25 yards out for the opener.

The Vietnamese side nearly doubled their lead two minutes later when Geovane Magno controlled the ball on the edge of the box and attempted a low strike on the turn but was denied by goalkeeper Kung Chanvuthy who was well positioned to make the save.

Tran Danh Trung’s skied attempt from inside the box with the angle narrowing was the closest Viettel got to doubling their lead in the remainder of the first hour of the game, while the Cambodian side offered very little in terms of chances.

Phnom Penh Crown’s most dangerous sight of goal came midway through the second half when Colombian playmaker Andres Nieto set-up the onrushing Koeut Pich on the left flank, and with just the goalkeeper to beat, Koeut aimed for the bottom corner, but his shot was smothered by Quang Thế Tai before the Vietnamese goalkeeper recovered to save the rebound too.

A second win on the trot puts Viettel in the driving seat with full marks ahead of the final matchday showdown against Hougang United on Thursday, while it will be an early exit for Phnom Penh Crown who will look to bow out on a positive note when they face Young Elephants in their final game.

In the other hand, Singapore’s Hougang United came from behind to win for the second game in a row, beating Laos’ Young Elephants 3-1.