Hai Phong wins big in AFC Champions League
* Scored: Kanda 41' – Tuan Anh 88', Almeida 108', 116', Martin Lo 111'.
Hai Phong participates in the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 qualifying round as the runner-up of the V-League 2022. After running out of opportunities to compete in the 2023 V-League, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem has made moves to prepare for his first appearance. Hai Phong's first in the Asian playground after 27 years. Including giving many opportunities to young players or substitutes, so that some pillars can rest. In their last match, a 0-0 draw on Ha Tinh's field on August 10, key midfielder Trieu Viet Hung even got a complete rest.
In Hai Phong's squad, there are also many players who have played in Asian tournaments, such as Luong Xuan Truong, Nguyen Hai Huy or Dang Van Toi. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem himself once brought Hanoi FC to the 2019 AFC Cup inter-regional final.
Therefore, having to be a guest on Mongkok field today, but Hai Phong is still off to a strong start. The initial significant opportunities belonged to the away team, but Nguyen Huu Son did not take advantage of them successfully.
The surprise came in the 41st minute, when Kanda shot from about 25 meters to help Rangers pass. The home team is one of Hong Kong's strong football clubs, named after the famous Scottish team Glasgow Rangers. They won the right to qualify for this year's Asian tournament, after finishing third in the Hong Kong Premier League last season. Due to the fact that there are three naturalized players, the Rangers squad actually has nine foreign players.
The strength of Rangers caused many difficulties for Hai Phong, and it seemed that the away team would suffer defeat. The turning point came in the 87th minute, when Jean-Jacques Kilama fouled Yuri Almeida in the penalty area, giving Hai Phong a penalty. It was the Brazilian striker who made the 11m kick, but was saved by goalkeeper Leung Hing Kit. Midfielder Tuan Anh was on time to score a 1-1 equalizer for Hai Phong.
In the extra time, the physical strength of Hai Phong players proved to be more outstanding. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's army created many opportunities and concretized in the 108th minute with a header that touched the goalkeeper into the net. Three minutes later, Ho Minh Di hit the crossbar with a long shot, this time it was Martin Lo's turn to score the third goal. Yuri Almeida added another goal to complete the double, only this time with a header into an empty net.
Winning 4-1, Hai Phong faced Incheon United of Korea in the next round away from home on August 22. The winning team will win the right to participate in the group stage of the AFC Champions League 2023-2024 - where Hanoi FC is located. Vietnam also has a place in the Asian tournament, the AFC Cup this season belongs to HAGL.
