Hoa Phat Hanoi fail to earn AFC Cup victory

Hoa Phat Hanoi, who are struggling in the Vietnamese national championship/V-League, have yet to earn a win in the AFC Cup, drawing 0-0 with visiting Malaysia”s Negeri Sembilan on May 8.

Substitute Nguyen Cong Manh came closest to scoring for Hoa Phat Hanoi, hitting the post in stoppage time. At the other end, the Malaysian team saw their opportunities denied by goalkeeper Manh Dung and Hoa Phat Hanoi”s defenders as the game sprung into life in the final minutes.

The draw left Hoa Phat Hanoi at bottom of Group D with three points after five games.

Hoa Phat Hanoi, after a disappointing defeat to the Maldives” Victory Sport Club on matchday four, lined up their strongest squad at the moment to seek their first victory at the AFC Cup, which will serve as a boost for them to fight back in the V-League.

Skipper Juselio Da Silva, who started from the bench in the match with Victory SC, returned to partner Willians Dos Santos.

However, the hosts failed to show a cutting edge in the first half with Da Silva and Dos Santos struggling to link-up as the game took place in a lacklustre fashion.     

Manager Vuong Tien Dung made his first change in the first half, bringing on veteran midfielder Trinh Xuan Thanh for Vo Duc Lam, who had yet to recover from an injury.

After the break, the introduction of midfielder Nguyen Anh Cuong saw the momentum shift towards the home side, who started to trouble the Malaysian midfield and defence. However, with Hoa Phat’s Brazilian front line misfiring, the hosts failed to make the most of the substitute’s contribution.

The game lived up in final five minutes when two sides created some clear chances.

Freddy Santos fired off a low shot that was punched around the post by Hoa Phat Hanoi”s goalkeeper Nguyen Manh Dung. Three minutes later Liew Kit Kong caused problems to the home defence, who had to clear Liew”s header off the line.

Hoa Phat Hanoi almost ran away with a win at the death, when substitute Cong Manh lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Mohd Farizal Harun, but it came back off the woodwork.

At the other end, Hoa Phat Hanoi again had to clear off the line to deny another chance by the Malaysian opponents.

Talking at a press conference after the match, manager Dung of Hoa Phat Hanoi said it was not an interesting game but he was satisfied with the draw.

Hoa Phat Hanoi will play their final game at the AFC Cup in Hong Kong against Group D leaders Sun Hei.

Nhan dan