Hai Phong was eliminated early in the AFC Cup 2023-2024

Indonesia's 1-1 draw at PSM Makassar was not enough for Hai Phong to retain their chance in the 2023-2024 AFC Cup group stage.

* Goals: Sayuri 77' – Lucao 74'.

After five rounds, Hai Phong has seven points, ranking second in group H after Sabah FC with 12 points.

The 2023-2024 AFC Cup has 12 teams divided into three groups in the Southeast Asian region. The teams play a round robin twice to select the three best teams and the best second team to enter the semi-finals. Of the three second-placed teams, Hai Phong is ranked last and has no chance because Cambodian club Phnom Penh Crown has 12 points.

Before Hai Phong, the remaining representative of Vietnam in the continental arena, Hanoi FC, also said goodbye to the AFC Champions League, after losing 0-2 to Pohang Steelers yesterday.

Lucao do Break (right) celebrates after opening the scoring against PSM Makassar. Photo: AFC — Lucao do Break (right) celebrates after opening the scoring against PSM Makassar. Photo: *AFC*

Hai Phong entered the match at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium in high spirits. A win would help them keep their chances. Throughout the match, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's team had 72% possession of the ball, with 19 shots - three times more than PSM Makassar. This figure was similar to the number of fouls committed by both sides. However, Hai Phong's efficiency was not high. They only shot towards the goal three times, similar to the home team.

At the beginning of the match, Le Manh Dung's right wing was continuously penetrated by PSM Makassar, creating two shots that went over the bar and were blocked by Hai Phong defenders.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's students then regained their rhythm, continuously attacking the flanks well, threatening the PSM Makassar goal. In the 35th minute, Luong Hoang Nam passed the ball to Trieu Viet Hung on the left wing, then passed it to the right wing for Tuan Anh to pass it back to Lucao for a low shot. A PSM Makassar player was able to save the goal on the goal line. In the 45th minute, the home defender cleared the ball off his teammate, giving Hoang Nam a chance to face goalkeeper Reza Pratama, but his shot into the near corner missed the post.

Yakob Sayuri (second from right) scored a beautiful free kick to equalize for PSM Makassar. Photo: AFC

In the second half, Hai Phong continued to attack but still lacked precision in their shots or decisive passes. It wasn't until the 74th minute that substitute midfielder Luong Xuan Truong passed the ball to Hoang Nam to escape down the left wing and then pass inside. Lucao do Break controlled the ball neatly and then curled the ball with his right foot to open the score.

However, the advantage did not last long. In the 77th minute, Yakob Sayuri took a free kick from the left wing about 25 meters from the goal. Goalkeeper Dinh Trieu jumped as far as he could to touch the ball but could not prevent the goal.

Hai Phong tried to push up their formation to find victory but their stamina was low and they regretted the missed opportunity in the third minute of extra time. Trieu Viet Hung crossed the ball from the left wing but Lucao missed. Martin Lo ran in to cushion the ball close to the goal but goalkeeper Reza Pratama closed the angle in time to prevent a goal, ending the match at 1-1.

The match with Hougang FC on December 14 at Lach Tray Stadium is just a formality for Hai Phong.

Starting lineup

PSM Makassar: Reza Arya Pratama, Safrudin Tahar, Akbar Tanjung, Yuran Fernandes, Kenzo Nambu, Yakob Sayuri, Muhammad Arfan, Rizky Eka Pratama, Salman Zahran Sidik, Everton, Adilson Silva

Hai Phong: Dinh Trieu, Le Manh Dung, Pham Hoai Duong, Dang Van Toi, Trieu Viet Hung, Bicou Bissainthe, Huu Son, Joseph Mpande, Tuan Anh, Luong Hoang Nam, Lucao do Break.

Hieu Luong

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