Viettel FC knocked out of AFC Cup after penalty shootout

By Hoang Nguyen   August 10, 2022 | 08:12 pm PT
Viettel FC knocked out of AFC Cup after penalty shootout
Viettel FC player Nguyen Hoang Duc (front) dribbles past the opponent in the game with Kuala Lumpur in the AFC Cup semifinal in HCMC's Thong Nhat Stadium, August 10, 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong
Malaysia side Kuala Lumpur City eliminated Viettel FC from AFC Cup after an intense penalty shootout in the regional semifinal on Wednesday night.

The host Viettel entered the game with confidence and played slow to probe the opponent. After 15 minutes, they started pushing forward and created many chances, but none of them were relevant.

The visitors played in a low block and supported the defense well enough to make it really difficult to get through.

In the 29th minute, Viettel got the best scoring chance in the first half when Nguyen Hoang Duc received the ball in the box. He had enough time to adjust and aim for the finish, but his shot went over the bar.

In the second half, Viettel continued putting pressure on Kuala Lumpur, but the visitors remained solid with their thick defense.

When the host were still trying to find a way to score, they nearly had to pay the price. From a counter-attack in the left flank, the ball found Romel Morales, who got a thumping header to the far corner. Goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh had to punch the ball up and it hit the bar, fortunately.

In the 87th minute, Viettel's Nham Manh Dung had a good finish, but his shot was slightly off target.

After 90 minutes ended goalless, the game continued with 30 minutes of extra time, but still no goal was scored.

The game entered the intense penalty shootout. In the second turn, Kuala Lumpur missed one but Viettel also hit the bar in the third turn. Both teams made no mistakes in the next penalties until the 7th turn when Bui Duy Thuong screwed up.

Viettel were eliminated by losing 5-6 in the penalty shootout. Kuala Lumpur will face Indonesia’s PSM Makassar in the regional final of AFC Cup.

AFC Cup: Viettel 0-0 Kuala Lumpur

 
 
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