AFC Cup 2019 Roundup: Tampines hold Hanoi, Home fall in Philippines

Photo courtesy of Tampines Rovers
SINGAPORE, 13 MARCH 2019 – Tampines Rovers remained unbeaten in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup 2019 this week to continue their good start to the new season, while Home United struggled in their away clash as both Singapore Premier League (SPL) sides concluded the second round of group matches. We take a quick look at each game…

Group F
Tampines Rovers 1-1 Hanoi FC
Jordan Webb 77’ | Pape Omar Faye 62’
Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore

Up against a Hanoi side that started seven Vietnamese national team players, six of whom played at the recent Asian Cup, not many gave Tampines a chance. However, the Stags put up a disciplined performance to frustrate the visitors, who saw Syazwan Buhari foil them on two occasions in the first half. The hosts then went close through Daniel Bennett, who headed a corner against the post. Hanoi broke the deadlock when Pape Omar Faye turned in a loose ball just after the hour mark after Syazwan flapped at a corner. But they were pegged back 15 minutes later when Jordan Webb was sent clear by Khairul Amri and calmly slotted his third goal in as many games past Nguyen Van Cong. Amirul Adli put in an outstanding shift at the heart of defence as Tampines held on for a deserved point.

Tampines: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Madhu Mohana, Daniel Bennett, Amirul Adli, Irwan Shah, Shahdan Sulaiman (C), Zehrudin Mehmedović (Shah Shahiran 85’), Mirza Delimedac, Ryutaro Megumi (Taufik Suparno 90’+3), Jordan Webb, Yasir Hanapi (Khairul Amri 67’).
Unused subs: Zulfairuuz Rudy (GK), Akmal Azman, Zulfadhmi Suzliman, Joel Chew.

Next match: Tuesday, 2 April, vs Naga World, The National Olympic Stadium, Cambodia.

Group H
Kaya FC-Iloilo 5-0 Home United
Darryl Roberts 2’, 37’, Jovin Bedic 34’, Alfred Osei 49’, 56’
Pa-naad Park and Football Stadium, Bacolod City, Philippines

A depleted Home were swept aside in the Philippines by Kaya, who took the lead less than two minutes after kick-off after debutant goalkeeper Haikal Hasnol came out for a corner and failed to catch, allowing Darryl Roberts an easy header. Jovin Bedic doubled the lead with a powerful effort and Roberts added another after Home did not deal with a cross properly. There was no let-up after the break as Alfred Osei netted a quick-fire brace to inflict a third consecutive loss in all competitions for the Protectors.

Home: Haikal Hasnol (GK), Faritz Hameed, Abdil Qaiyyim, Faizal Roslan, Juma’at Jantan (Hafiz Nor 55’), Izzdin Shafiq (C), Aqhari Abdullah (Iqram Rifqi 64’), Adam Swandi, Isaka Cernak, Ho Wai Loon, Shahril Ishak (Muhelmy Suhaimi 80’).
Unused subs: Nazri Sabri (GK), Sheikh Faris, Nur Hizami, Anaqi Ismit.

Next match: Tuesday, 2 April, vs Lao Toyota, Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore.