HCM City striker Nguyen Cong Phuong (left) on the ball during the AFC Cup match against Hougang yon February 25. HCM City won 3-2. (Photo: the-afc.com) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – Nguyen Cong Phuong scored in the second match ina row at the Asian Football Confederation Cup in Ho Chi Minh City’s 3-2 winover hosts Hougang United on February 25 in Singapore.
Phuong opened the scoring in the 14th minute, tapping home a pass from captain TranPhi Son who broke into the box after leaving two Hougang defenders behind.
The national striker was also denied by the post and goalkeeper KhairulhinKhalid in the second half.
Amido Balde wasted a string of good chances before finally heading home in thefinal minute of the first half with another assist from Son.
HCM City continued to dominate their hosts in the second half and Guinea-Bissaustriker Balde completed his double on 57 minutes.
Phuong’s attempt was denied by Khalid onto the post from close range, but theball ricocheted to Son for him to supply his third assist of the match forBalde to head home.
The visitors seemed to be in control until goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung broughtdown Shawal Anuar in the box.
It was national U23 goalie Dung's forst outing in the first team since he movedto HCM City five months ago, but he received a yellow card and failed to savefrom Stipe Plazibat, who narrowed the result to 3-2 three minutes later from acounter-attack.
The win pushed HCM City into second place in Group F while Hougang are down tothird.
In the other match in Group F, Myanmar’s Yangon United held off Lao Toyota FCto secure a 3-2 win in their clash at Thuwanna Stadium.
Yangon top the table and will next play Hougang on March 10. At the same time,HCM City will host bottom-placed Lao Toyota at Thong Nhat Stadium.
In other games, Than Quang Ninh earned their first point with a 2-2 drawagainst the Filipino Ceres Negros in Group G on February 25.
Jeremie Lynch opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, heading home Quach Tran GiangTan’s corner to push the visiting side ahead.
Bienvenido Maranon levelled for the hosts in the additional time in the firsthalf with a penalty.
OJ Porteria lifted Ceres Negros ahead after leaving Quảng Ninh’s defendersbehind in the 62nd minute.
Midfielder Nguyen Hai Huy netted eight minutes later, pulling one point backfor the Vietnamese side.
In Group G, Cambodian champions Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC defeated BaliUnited FC 2-1 at home.
Next, Quang Ninh will visit Svay Rieng while Ceres Negros will host Bali Unitedon March 11./.
VNA
