Hanoi: Công An Hà Nội FC defender Hugo Gomes is confident that the Vietnamese side can go all the way in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ after they overcame Indonesia’s PSM Makassar in the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
After a goalless first half at Hang Day Stadium, the Brazilian centre-back scored from a corner after Nguyen Quang Hai’s delivery into the box was flicked on towards the far post by Phan Van Duc – only three minutes into the second period as the V.League 1 side levelled the two-legged tie at 1-1.
Gomes’ defensive partner Bui Hoang Viet Anh then displayed tremendous composure to pull off a neat left-foot finish 12 minutes later to seal the 2-0 victory, completing a famous comeback for Công An, who lost the first leg 1-0 in Parepare on 2 April.
“We understand that for our fans and people of Vietnam, this win is so important,” Gomes said after the game.
“They came here on a rainy day and we could make them happy,” said the 30-year-old, as his side will now look forward to a Shopee Cup™ final against either Buriram United or BG Pathum United.
“Let's go for the final. We can do this,” he added.
Công An have been one of the standout teams in the inaugural edition of the Shopee Cup™ as Alexandre Polking’s side won all five of their group stage fixtures to finish top of Group B – the only team to maintain a perfect record in the first phase of the tournament.
It also included a 2-1 win against potential finalists Buriram, who won their semi-final first leg against fellow Thai League 1 side BG Pathum 3-1 earlier this month.
On Wednesday, Công An dominated their opponents, registering 25 shots, with eight of them on target, compared to PSM's four attempts, of which only one was on target.
And a “very happy” Viet Anh said that Công An’s victory was “a worthy result”.
“My feelings at this moment are very happy because our team won at our home venue on a big holiday for our country,” the Vietnam international said, as the 2023 Vietnamese champions marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with a victory.
“In the match, our team was very focused and well prepared to compete 100% because it was a special day for our country,” the 26-year-old said.
“This match is also very important, helping our team reach the final. The victory is a worthy result for myself and my team. This is the result of the whole team's efforts over a long journey,” he added.
It was a moment for Viet Anh and his Công An team-mates to celebrate after their historic semi-final tirumph in the Vietnamese capital city but attention will soon turn to their next challenge.
They will know who their opponents in the two-legged final are when the second leg of the other last-four tie between Buriram and BG Pathum is played in Pathum Thani on 7 May.
Share now
