Hanoi beat Binh Duong in all-Vietnamese AFC Zonal final

 

Hanoi (VNA) - Striker Nguyen Van Quyet scored the only goal to help Hanoi FC beat Becamex Binh Duong 1-0 in the first leg of the lAFC Cup ASEAN Zonal fina on July 31.

The captain’s penalty in the 33rd minute was denied by goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong but the midfielder followed up to slot the only goal at the Go Dau Stadium of Bicamex Binh Duong.

The match was marred by heavy rain proving it difficult to create more chances for either side in the first ever all-Vietnamese zonal final.

It was the hosts who made a good start with striker Wander Luiz testing Hanoi goalie Nguyen Van Cong just 10 minutes into the match. But the Brazilian’s effort was wide of the mark.

Hanoi came into life midway through the first half.

Papa Omar Faye, Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Thanh Chung rotated well in attack to threaten the home goal.

Senegalese Faye’s effort on 24 minutes was saved by Cuong who then reacted well to clear the follow up attempt by Hai.

A moment later Cuong showed off his talent as he blocked Hai’s finish then stood strong to deny Chung’s glaring chance.

Hanoi continued attacking and they got the goal at the 33rd mark.

Binh Duong defender Nguyen Hung Thien Duc fouled Hanoi’s Ngan Van Dai and the visitors were awarded a spot kick.

Keeper Cuong initially saved Quyet’s strike but could do nothing to prevent the former national team midfielder from opening the scoring.

The break did not help Binh Duong much. After the interval they did little to create any meaningful chances despite the introduction of Nguyen Anh Duc from the bench.

His best chance came with nine minutes remaining but his effort was tame.

The first leg win gave Hanoi the advantage ahead of their return match at the Hang Day Stadium on August 7.

The winner of the tie will receive a huge bonus of 100,000 USD from the AFC. They will play Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr FC in the Inter-Zone Semi-finals.-VNA