Manila: Vietnam’s Công An Hà Nôi FC extended their stay at the top of Group B of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ after edging Kaya FC-Iloilo of the Philippines 2-1 at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
Le Van Do’s deflected curler put the visitors in front just after the quarter hour mark, before Marco Casambre could only divert the same player’s effort past his own keeper on 28 minutes.
Mark Swainston scored the goal of the night following the restart to halve the deficit but the Vietnamese outfit would hold on for the win to retain pole position in the standings.
After two defeats from two against Kuala Lumpur City FC and Thai heavyweights Buriram United, the hosts were desperate to get their first points on the board in what was their inaugural Shopee Cup game in the Philippines.
But it was the away side who opened the scoring on 16 minutes as Van Do's inswinger from just inside the area crept inside the back post via a deflection that left goalkeeper Walid Birrou wrong-footed.
The Công An number 88 was then central to doubling his team’s lead two minutes before the half hour mark.
Leo Artur was the provider with a silky first-time flick to send Van Do through on goal and the midfielder’s side-footed effort once again took a heavy deflection, this time off the unfortunate Casambre, to deceive Birrou and find the net.
It looked to be more of the same five minutes after the half-time break when Alan Grafite was found in the area by the irrepressible Van Do, but the Brazilian forward could only drive his shot down into the turf and the bouncing strike was straight at Birrou who palmed the ball to safety.
Instead, it was the hosts who came roaring back in response with Swainston powering a stunning volley past Filip Nguyen after he was set up by a cushioned header from Audie Menzi on 54 minutes.
A brilliant double-save from Birrou to deny first Leo Artur and then substitute Vu Van Thanh kept Kaya in the tie with just over 10 minutes remaining, but despite their best efforts the Filipino club were unable to find a further breakthrough.
Công An will next travel to Kuala Lumpur City on 23 January, while Kaya are also on the road with a visit to Borneo FC Samarinda on the same day.
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