FELDA United ended their AFC Cup campaign in similar fashion as their previous matches after succumbing to a 4-1 defeat against Hanoi FC at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium earlier tonight.
Hanoi FC manager Chu Đình Nghiêm needed nothing less than a win in order to be in contention to qualify for the knockout stages and he approached the game with one a strong starting line-up which included the likes of ex-Paris Saint Germain forward Loris Arnaud and ex-Malaga defender Alvaro Silva. FELDA United head coach B. Sathianathan deployed a 4-4-2 formation with Lucas Cano and and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha leading the front lines.
The hosts started the game confidently as they created four attempts in the first fifteen minutes. Vietnamese defender Sầm Ngọc Đức tried his luck from outside the box but the ball just went a few inches wide. Minutes later, Phạm Đức Huy and Loris Arnaud came close twice in drawing first blood for Hanoi FC but were unable to direct the ball to the back of the net.
Loris Arnaud, who spent most of his life in Paris, had the best chance of the game after team captain Phạm Thành Lương delivered a beautiful cross into the box but the French forward saw his header just go inches wide off Ilham Razali’s goal. Five minutes before half-time, the home team came close once again but the FELDA United custodian was ever so reliable.
FELDA United seemed lacklustre in the first half and were unable to create any chances.
The second half kicked off against B. Sathianathan immediately showed his desire to grab all three points by replacing Fakrul Aiman with Hadin Azman. However, things turned sour for The Fighters when Phạm Đức Huy opened the lead with a stunning effort from 30 yards out.
Hanoi created numerous chances after taking the lead but were unable to capitalize on them. Fifteen minutes before full-time, Nguyen Van Quyet doubled the lead with a free-kick. The midfielder scored his second goal of the game with a composed finish on the 85th minute.
Do Hung Dung grabbed his fourth goal of the campaign with a goal on the 90th minute. Moments later, Gastón Cellerino grabbed a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
FELDA United ended their AFC Cup campaign in last place of Group G with five points.
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