Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai of Hanoi FC (right) vies for the ball with a player for Altyn Asyr in the Asian Football Confederation Cup Inter-Zone semi-final first leg (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Hanoi FC beat Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan3-2 in the first leg of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) CupInter-Zone semi-finals at their home Hang Day Stadium on August 20.
The Vietnamese teamwon the game thanks to two goals from star midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai anda penalty in the dying minutes scored by striker Nguyen Van Quyet.
With the advantage ofplaying at the home stadium, Hanoi FC looked dangerous from the get-go.
However, it was thevisiting side which scored the opener just four minutes from the whistle.Taking full advantage of an error by defender Pham Duc Huy, Murak Yakshiyevdefeated goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong with a low shot from the top of the box.
The hosts remainedcalm after conceding early, continuing to look for counterattackingopportunities.
Latching onto a passfrom the left wing, midfielder Pape Omar Faye headed an effort thatbeat the keeper but hit the crossbar. Unbelievably, Papa Ibou Kebe pounced onthe rebound but saw his shot rattle the crossbar too.
The defendingV.League champions continued to dominate the game but struggled to find anequaliser.
Just when it lookedlike they may trail going into the break, Hai delivered for his team inthe 41st minute with a perfect free kick from the top of the penalty area thatbent around the wall before finding the back of the net.
After the break,both sides pushed hard to find another goal.
AltynAsyr's goalkeeper Orazmuhamedov Mamed came under increasing pressure fromthe hosts, but managed to keep his team in the game.
Hanoi’s efforts paidoff with another goal from Hai in the 61st minute. He danced into the box fromthe right-hand side, evading three defenders before sending a fierce shot intothe far side of the goal.
But Hanoi’s joy wasshort-lived. Just two minutes later, a quick counter attack saw AltymyratAnnadurdyyev level the score.
Coach Chu Dinh Nghiemdecided to change his midfield after conceding, replacing Ngan Van Dai withveteran Pham Thanh Luong who won the Golden Ball award in 2009, 2011, 2014 and2016. Luong soon found an opportunity but his long shot hit the sidenetting.
As Hanoi piled on thepressure late in the match, goalkeeper Mamed fouled Do Hung Dung in the box togive Vietnam a penalty in the 85th minute.
Striker Nguyen VanQuyet stepped up and confidently sent his shot into the upper left corner,sending the crowd at Hang Day into a frenzy.
Hanoi FC will takeits 3-2 lead over Altyn Asyr into the second leg of the tiein Turkmenistan on August 27.-VNA
VNA
