Hà Nội become AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal champion

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội FC defeated Becamex Bình Dương  一-0 in the second leg of the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal final at Hàng Đẫy Stadium in Hà Nội yesterday to become the ASEAN champion.

After taking the first leg last week by the same scoreline, Hà Nội beat Bình Dương  二-0 on aggregate.

Both sides started the match aggressively and created a number of chances but failed to find the net.

Hà Nội had one of the first good chances, as Nguyễn Văn Đại headed a cross from midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải towards goal but couldn't beat Bình Dương goalkeeper Bùi Tấn Trường.

The hosts continued to pile on pressure but could not find a way past Bình Dương's solid defence.

Despite opportunities to take the lead, the first half ended goalless.

After the break the home side were on the front foot again and Pape Omar Faye broke the deadlock on  六 一 minutes.

Goalkeeper Trường came out to claim a corner kick sent in by Nguyễn Thành Chung but the ball slipped through his hands and Faye took full advantage, sending the ball into the net with a first-time finish. This was his eighth goal of the competition.

Trường struggled again several minutes later when he failed to hold on to a shot from the top of the box, but the ensuing chance slipped by the outside of the post.

Bình Dương seemed deflated following the goal and the hosts were able to calmly defend their lead.

Following the win, Hà Nội will play Altyn Asyr from Turkmenistan in the Inter-zone Semi-final across two legs on August  二0 and  二 七.

In other football news, Việt Nam beat defending champions Malaysia  一-0 in its first match of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U 一 八 Championship held at Thống Nhất Stadium. — VNS