Hanoi FC eliminated from AFC Champions League

After a 2-1 comeback win over Wuhan Three Towns in the fourth round of Group J, Hanoi FC has revived their hopes of advancing to the AFC Champions League. They need points in their trip to the top team Pohang Steelers today. However, despite fielding a strong lineup, Dinh The Nam's team still cannot create a breakthrough.

Pohang Steelers, after four consecutive wins, are sure to top the group and qualify for the next round. Therefore, coach Kim Gi-Dong fielded a lineup of all Korean players, without using foreign players. Hanoi FC left Nguyen Van Quyet, Do Hung Dung, and Do Duy Manh on the bench, but there are still players expected to create a surprise, with the highest-ranking player being Pham Tuan Hai - who scored a double against Wuhan Three Towns. Four days ago, Tuan Hai scored a super goal against Binh Duong in the make-up match of the first round of the V-League. Supporting him are young striker Van Tung and midfielders Van Toan, Wilson, and Hai Long.

Compared to the first leg, Hanoi played on par but lost 2-4 at My Dinh, the away match at Pohang Steel Yard was completely outclassed. The home team took the initiative from the start, controlling the ball twice as much as Hanoi. However, facing the tight defense of the Vietnamese representative, Pohang Steelers players could not threaten goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan's goal.

When the situation was secure, Hanoi's defense made a mistake. From Hong Yun-Sang's penetration into the penalty area, defender Dao Van Nam tripped his opponent, and referee Adel Ali Ahmed immediately awarded a penalty. He then listened to advice from VAR but made no change in his decision. From the 11m mark, striker Lee Ho-Jae shot into the left corner, goalkeeper Van Chuan guessed the direction correctly but the ball went dangerously, bounced off the inside of the post and hit the net, the home team led 1-0.

In the final minutes of the first half, Hanoi FC pushed up their formation to chase Pohang Steelers players in the opponent's half. One of them almost succeeded when Thanh Chung stole the ball and quickly passed it to Pham Tuan Hai, but the striker's powerful shot from outside the penalty area went wide.

In the beginning of the second half, when Hanoi FC could not find a chance, their net shook for the second time. In the 53rd minute, from a corner kick, the ball hit the back of a Pohang Steelers player, opening up an opportunity for center back Ha Chang-rae to head the ball in to double the gap.

Van Quyet and Hung Dung were sent onto the field one after another. The game became brighter for the Vietnamese representative. In the 65th minute, Tuan Hai passed the ball across to Van Quyet to finish but was caught by the home team's defender. In the 69th minute, Tuan Hai passed the ball back in front of the penalty area for Van Quyet to curl into the far corner, the home team's goalkeeper was helpless but the ball went just over the bar. In the 79th minute, Pham Xuan Manh kicked the ball back from close range when the home team's goalkeeper did not catch the ball well, but the ball went over the bar.

Unable to capitalize on their chances, Hanoi FC almost conceded a third goal when Han Chan-Hee curled a shot from outside the box that hit the crossbar. However, the 2-0 victory was enough to help Pohang Steelers maintain their winning streak after five matches. "We were not used to playing in cold weather compared to our opponents," striker Tuan Hai said after the match. "However, that was not the main reason why we lost. Although we were eliminated, in the last match we were determined to play our best for the fans and for the pride of Vietnamese football."

In the same match, Urawa Red Diamonds beat Wuhan Three Towns 2-1 to rise to second place, thereby officially eliminating Hanoi with only three points. In the final round, Hanoi will host Urawa Red Diamonds at My Dinh, while Pohang Steelers will be guests at Wuhan Three Towns.