Culture - Sports

Hanoi FC target AFC Champions League berth

V. League 1 champions Hanoi FC will play Thai League runners-up Bangkok United in the first qualification match of the AFC Champions League on February 12 evening in Bangkok.
Hanoi FC target AFC Champions League berth ảnh 1Hanoi FC will play Bangkok United in the AFC Champions League. (Source: vietbao.vn)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - V. League 1champions Hanoi FC will play Thai League runners-up Bangkok United in the firstqualification match of the AFC Champions League on February 12 evening inBangkok.

The team left for the match on February 10 withall of their best players, including new signing national goalkeeper Bui Tien Dungand former Guam midfielder Brandon McDonald. 

Victory would be a first step to securing aberth in the final round of the continent’s top tournament.

"This target shows our big ambition toaccess the higher-level competition. It is not easy as we can see the poorresults of Vietnamese clubs when participating here in the past. However, weare given a target we will do our best," said head coach Chu DinhNghiem.

Vietnamese clubs have historically struggled inAsia’s premier competition, with Becamex Binh Duong’s single win in thegroup stage in 2016 the best any local side has managed.

To prepare properly, Nghiem and his teamjust enjoyed the Lunar New Year celebrations for two days and returned totraining last Wednesday. He will bring his strongest side, including eightnational team players, to Bangkok.

This is the fifth year the team have entered thequalifiers of the contest. They have yet to advance to the group phase of thecompetition, slipping out in the playoffs in 2014, 2015 2016 and 2017.

On the other side, Bangkok United featureto national members such as Manuel Bihr, Mika Chunuonsee, Sumanya Purisai,Tristan Do, Pokklaw Anan and Sanrawat

They have been one of three strongest teams inthe Thai League under Brazilian coach Alexandre Polking since 2014.

Bangkok United will make their third appearancein the AFC Champions League and their second in three seasons after lastfeaturing in the qualifying rounds in 2017. 

The match will be at the Thammasat Stadium,Pathum Thani from 7pm local time.

If they win, Hanoi FC will next meet Shandong Luneng ofChina in the second qualifier on February 19.

But if they lose they will drop to the AFC Cup’s Group F wherethey will face Naga World (Cambodia), Tampines Rovers (Singapore) and YangonUnited (Myanmar) starting on February 26.-VNS/VNA
VNA
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