Hải Phòng draw but out of AFC Cup

Football

Nguyễn Hữu Sơn of Hài Phòng tries to run away from PSM Makassar during their AFC Cup 2023;s Group H match on November 30 in Bali. The match ends 1-1. Photo the-afc.com

HÀ NỘI — A 1-1 between Hải Phòng FC and PSM Makassar helped neither team, with both crashing out of the AFC Cup.

In Bali, Indonesia on Thursday, Lucao opened the score for Hải Phòng in the 74th minute but Yakob Sayuri levelled for the hosts three minutes later at the Capt I Wayan Dipta Stadium.

Both sides stayed second and third in Group H after Sabah FC of Malaysia trounced Singaporean Hougang United 4-1.

“I am sorry that Hải Phòng could not win this rematch. The draw result closes the door for us to the next stage,” said coach Chu Đình Nghiêm.

The top team in each group and one second-placed team with the best results qualified for the knockout round.

With seven points after five matches, Hải Phòng are at the bottom of the second-placed team ranking. Phnom Penh Crown of Cambodia are on top with 12 points.

The hosts had the first meaningful chance on goal after nine minutes when Adilson narrowly fired wide after receiving the ball from Makassar star midfielder Sayuri.

Hải Phòng however took charge of the play. Striker Lucao was crowded out five minutes later, before the Brazilian teed up Nguyễn Hữu Sơn who fired narrowly over on 23 minutes.

Despite their possession, the Vietnamese side were unable to carve out a clear-cut opportunity until the final move of the first half.

The ball broke to Lương Hoàng Nam and allowed him a clean run on goal, but the midfielder could only steer his shot wide with just goalkeeper Reza Arya to beat.

The second half also saw Hải Phòng controlling play and setting the tempo but unable to carve out any clear opportunities on goal.

Nam and Joseph Mpande both had efforts off-target for Hải Phòng, before a rare opening at the other end saw Yuran Fernandes send a free-kick well wide.

Lucao finally broke the deadlock on 74 minutes after Hoang Nam slipped in the number nine with a clever reverse pass and the forward adeptly clipped the ball past the on-rushing Arya.

With the stalemate finally ended, a second goal came shortly after and, against the run of play, it was for the home side as Sayuri fired home a fine free-kick from distance that Nguyễn Đình Triều got a hand to but was unable to keep out.

The Vietnamese side will play a domestic match against defending champions Hà Nội Police on December 4 at home.

They then host Hougang for the AFC Cup’s last group tie, while Makassar visit Sabah FC on December 14. VNS