The high spirits after winning against Rangers FC of Hong Kong (China) in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League (Asian Cup C1) will give the Hai Phong team more confidence in the play-off match against Incheon United on the afternoon of August 22.

Home advantage and higher level helped Incheon take the initiative against Hai Phong FC right after the opening whistle. However, the home team Incheon United was soon doused with cold water by the Vietnamese representative. In the 5th minute, from a situation where striker wearing the number 10 shirt Yuri Mamute dribbled the ball before firing a shot into the top corner, breaking the roof of Incheon United's net, Hai Phong FC opened the score.

This goal seemed to have touched the pride of the Korean team, making them determined to rush into Hai Phong FC's field, putting intense pressure in search of an equalizer. Incheon United's attacking efforts were rewarded with an equalizer in the 17th minute. Stefan Mugosa crossed the ball from the left wing, seemingly placed inside, for Cheon Seong-Hoon to head the ball close to the goal, defeating goalkeeper Dinh Trieu, equalizing 1-1 for Incheon United.

Players of both teams compete fiercely for the ball on the field. Photo: News 1

In the following minutes, the match became more exciting when both teams created good chances towards each other's goal. Unfortunately, Hai Phong's Bicou cushioned the ball close to the goal and it hit the crossbar and bounced out. Immediately after that, Viet Hung headed the ball a bit too high over the Incheon goal. The first half ended with the two teams tied 1-1.

In the second half, Incheon imposed their style of play against the visiting team Hai Phong and they continuously attacked Dinh Trieu's goal. In the 69th minute, from Incheon's corner kick, Mugosa headed the ball close to the goal but Dinh Trieu made an excellent save. The foreign player immediately kicked the ball very hard but Hai Phong's goalkeeper threw himself to block it, Mugosa's kick hit Dinh Trieu's head and bounced out.

The match was moving towards the final minutes, the pressure from the home team increased, forcing Hai Phong players to retreat deep into their own field. The home team continuously created good opportunities, however, in a day of excellent play, Hai Phong's goalkeeper continuously blocked goals for the home team. Tied 1-1 in the official match time, the two teams were forced to play two extra periods to determine the winner.

Entering extra time, the home team Incheon went all out on the attack and they scored a goal to make it 2-1 in the 100th minute. From a cross from the left wing, the newly substituted player Hernandez scored a close-range shot to beat goalkeeper Dinh Trieu. In the 120+2 minute, the substitute player Fernandes scored the winning goal to 3-1 for Incheon United.

With nothing to lose, Hai Phong pushed forward to find an equalizer, but their efforts could not help the team from the port city get a goal to shorten the score. With this victory, Incheon United won a ticket to the group stage of the Asian Cup C1. Meanwhile, Hai Phong FC was relegated to the group stage of the AFC Cup (Asian Cup C2).

TUAN DIEP

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