Contradicting to their archrivals Hà Nội FC who lost at home on Wednesday, Hải Phòng start their continental cup campaign with a resounding victory. VNA/VNS Photo

Anh Đức

HẢI PHÒNG A total domination from the get-go granted Chu Đình Nghiêm's Hải Phòng FC side their first victory in Group H of the 2023/24 AFC Cup against Indonesian champions PSM Makassar.

An own goal by Erwin Gutawa gave the hosts of Lạch Tray Stadium an early lead, before Lương Hoàng Nam and Joseph Mpande sealed the game with two late goals.

Former Việt Nam U23 heroes Lương Xuân Trường and Nguyễn Trọng Đại were crucial in Hải Phòng's win, helping them amass over three-quarters of possession time.

With the home advantage in one of Việt Nam's crowded and noisiest stadium, it's no wonder why Nghiêm's team took the initiative.

The advantage got bigger for Hải Phòng in the eigth minute, as Gutawa tapped in his own net after a vicious cross from the right wing.

Hải Phòng could have had more goals right in the first half, had it not been for Reza Pratama's brilliant display in goal.

After the interval, Hải Phòng still played confidently, but took until the 73rd minute to score their second, as substitute Nguyễn Tuấn Anh crossed inwards for Lương Hoàng Nam to tap in the empty net.

Four minutes before the end of regulation, PSM Makassar conceded a penalty after Hoàng Nam was brought down inside the box. On the spot, Joseph Mpande calmly executed the kick to made it 3-0 to Hải Phòng.

With this result, Hải Phòng leads group H on goal difference, as second place Sabah FC (Malaysia) only won 3-1 against Singapore's Hougang United. VNS