Hanoi FC players celebrate their goal in the first leg with the DPRK’s April 25 Sports Club at the AFC Cup Inter-zonal Final at Hang Day Stadium (Photo: toquoc.vn)Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - V.League 1 champions Hanoi FC will be gunning for gloryagainst the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s April 25 SportsClub (4.25 SC) in the second leg of AFC Cup Inter-zonal Final at KimIl-sung Stadium on October 2.
The twosides drew 2-2 in the first leg at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi onSeptember 25.
ASEANZonal champions Hanoi need to beat their rivals who were East Zonalwinners or finish with a high-scoring draw.
The teamfrom the capital will feature the first Vietnamese side to play at the groundsince a training session held by The Cong in 1968.
Hanoi'sattack will feature Nguyen Van Quyet, Nguyen Quang Hai and Pape Omar Faye.
However, Hanoiwill be without No 1 goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong due to injury. Bui Tien Dungor Phi Minh Long will stand in for him having not featured much this season.
“Anythingcan happen in football. Hanoi’s strength lies in solidarity. I have highhopes we will complete our mission of defeating 4.25 SC and making itthrough to the next round,” said coach Chu Dinh Nghiem.
“Cong’sinjury is a pity for the whole team. However, Long and I will try our best. Hanoihave arrived in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea determined to win.We will give more than 100 percent,” said goalie Dung.
Accordingto defender Do Duy Manh, 4.25 SC are a strong team with good disciplineand physical strength. Hanoi will have to overcome these difficultiesif they want to get a good result.
“As adefender, it’s really tough to play against tall and powerful forwards, but wewill have to stop them in the second leg,” said Manh.
Beatingthe DPRK side will be a tough task for Hanoi.
With twoaway goals in the bag, 4.25 SC will start the return meeting with an advantage. Moreover, since making their AFC Cup debut in 2017, 4.25 SC have played14 games at home and have yet to taste defeat.
“We arelooking to the home game; the first match was just the first step towardsreaching the final,” said striker Kim Yu-song, who is the tournament’s jointsecond scorer with nine goals.
“Hanoiare very strong going forward, but we will have an advantage because our fanscan help us win the game,” Kim added.
In theirtwo previous AFC Cup appearances, 4.25 SC have reached the Inter-Zone semi-finalsand the Inter-Zone Final. With a formidable home record and two away goals inthe bag, O Yun-son’s side are confident of reaching the final.
However,with confidence after wrapping up a second successive V. League title andhaving not been beaten in more than four months, Hanoi are expected tomake a splash in the DPRK.
The matchwill begin at 3pm (Hanoi time) today, but due to local rules, it won’t bebroadcast live./.
The twosides drew 2-2 in the first leg at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi onSeptember 25.
ASEANZonal champions Hanoi need to beat their rivals who were East Zonalwinners or finish with a high-scoring draw.
The teamfrom the capital will feature the first Vietnamese side to play at the groundsince a training session held by The Cong in 1968.
Hanoi'sattack will feature Nguyen Van Quyet, Nguyen Quang Hai and Pape Omar Faye.
However, Hanoiwill be without No 1 goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong due to injury. Bui Tien Dungor Phi Minh Long will stand in for him having not featured much this season.
“Anythingcan happen in football. Hanoi’s strength lies in solidarity. I have highhopes we will complete our mission of defeating 4.25 SC and making itthrough to the next round,” said coach Chu Dinh Nghiem.
“Cong’sinjury is a pity for the whole team. However, Long and I will try our best. Hanoihave arrived in Democratic People’s Republic of Korea determined to win.We will give more than 100 percent,” said goalie Dung.
Accordingto defender Do Duy Manh, 4.25 SC are a strong team with good disciplineand physical strength. Hanoi will have to overcome these difficultiesif they want to get a good result.
“As adefender, it’s really tough to play against tall and powerful forwards, but wewill have to stop them in the second leg,” said Manh.
Beatingthe DPRK side will be a tough task for Hanoi.
With twoaway goals in the bag, 4.25 SC will start the return meeting with an advantage. Moreover, since making their AFC Cup debut in 2017, 4.25 SC have played14 games at home and have yet to taste defeat.
“We arelooking to the home game; the first match was just the first step towardsreaching the final,” said striker Kim Yu-song, who is the tournament’s jointsecond scorer with nine goals.
“Hanoiare very strong going forward, but we will have an advantage because our fanscan help us win the game,” Kim added.
In theirtwo previous AFC Cup appearances, 4.25 SC have reached the Inter-Zone semi-finalsand the Inter-Zone Final. With a formidable home record and two away goals inthe bag, O Yun-son’s side are confident of reaching the final.
However,with confidence after wrapping up a second successive V. League title andhaving not been beaten in more than four months, Hanoi are expected tomake a splash in the DPRK.
The matchwill begin at 3pm (Hanoi time) today, but due to local rules, it won’t bebroadcast live./.
VNA
