Hanoi: Công An Hà Nội FC will host Borneo FC Samarinda in their final Group B fixture of the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on Thursday.
Công An are the only side to have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Shopee Cup with four wins out of four matches but Borneo know only a victory against the V.League 1 club will give them any chance of making it past the group stage.
The Indonesians also need results elsewhere to go their way to progress as a win in Hanoi coupled by a draw between Buriram United and Kuala Lumpur City FC, who will meet in Buriram in a simultaneous kick-off, will keep them alive in the competition.
Joaquin Gomez’s side were heading out after Jesus Melliza scored for Kaya FC-Iloilo to make it 1-1 with eight minutes left in their penultimate group fixture last month, only for Dwiky Hardiansyah to net a 91st-minute winner against the Filipinos to set up a nail-biting ending to Group B engagements.
It was their first points in the tournament since their opening-day victory over Lion City Sailors in Balikpapan back in August and gave them six points from four matches - with them moving level on points with third-placed Kuala Lumpur City and one behind second-placed Buriram.
Since their win over Kaya, Borneo were beaten 3-2 by Bali United in Liga 1 before bouncing back with a narrow 1-0 victory against PSS Sleman on Sunday, with Dwiky again emerging as their hero with the only goal of the contest.
However, they will face a tough challenge to get three points against a Công An side, who are the only side with a perfect record in the competition and will hope to keep it that way before they look ahead to their semi-final clash.
The Vietnamese side, managed by former Thailand head coach Alexandre Polking, have scored a joint-high 12 goals in the tournament while conceding just four times on their way to booking their place among the final four of the Shopee Cup.
Coming up against a Công An attacking unit featuring the likes of Leo Artur and Alan Grafite, Borneo will have their work cut out in Hanoi to get a result that will decide their fate in the competition.
Công An Hà Nội FC vs Borneo FC Samarinda
Venue: Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi
Kick-off: 6 February, 7:30PM (Local Time)
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