Vietnamese striker matches Ronaldo's AFC Champions League goals

Hai played a vital role in his team's victory with a difficult header and a sophisticated finish to help his club complete the 2-1 comeback win against Wuhan Three Towns.

The performance raised Hai’s goal count to three. All three goals were against Wuhan in two legs of competition.

Pham Tuan Hai (L) celebrates his winning goal for Hanoi FC against Wuhan Three Towns at AFC Champions League, Nov. 8, 2023. Photo by Trung Nhu

Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who, like Hai, is in his first AFC Champions League season, has also scored three goals, with two against Qatar's Al-Duhail SC and one against Tajikista's Istiklol FC.

Also tied with three are Al Ain's Soufiane Rahimi and PFC Navbahor Namangan's Oston Urunov. Leading the scoring list is Ronaldo's teammate at Al Nassr, Talisca, with six goals.

Hanoi are still at the bottom of group J on the league table and they only have a slim chance of advancing. However, at only one point behind Wuhan and Urawa Red Diamonds, Hanoi can dream of a comeback if they win the last two matches against the Pohang Steelers and Urawa.

Pohang are at the top of the table with 12 points, Urawa and Wuhan are second and third with four points each, and Hanoi are last with three.