AFC Cup: Quang Ninh Coal down Svay Rieng 4-1 to keep knock-out stage hopes alive

Vietnamese club Quang Ninh Coal moved up to second place in Group G after demolishing Cambodia’s Svay Rieng 4-1 away on matchday three of the 2020 AFC Cup on March 11.

Quang Ninh Coal players celebrate scoring against Cambodia's Svay Rieng in the 2020 AFC Cup.
Quang Ninh Coal players celebrate scoring against Cambodia's Svay Rieng in the 2020 AFC Cup.

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Quang Ninh Coal headed into the match with the ultimate goal of bagging the full three points to escape the bottom position.

Excluding the absence of suspended Fagan, manager Phan Thanh Hung deployed his strongest squad to realise their victory ambition, with the presence of two foreigners, Lastro Neven and Jeremie Lynch, and domestic stars Mac Hong Quan, Nghiem Xuan Tu and Nguyen Hai Huy.

The Vietnamese side set the pace of the game right from the first whistle, pouring constant pressure on Svay Rieng’s back line.

After several wasted opportunities, Hai Huy put the guests ahead with a stunning solo display in the 36th minute, dribbling past three Cambodian players before firing a left-footed shot past keeper Outdom.

Nguyen Hai Huy (C) is one of the most active players on the Quang Ninh Coal side during their match with Svay Rieng.

The lack of concentration in the defensive line prevented Quang Ninh Coal from preserving their lead into half time, as Svay Rieng restored the parity with a solo goal by Jean Privat.

However, Phan Thanh Hung’s troops promptly proved that the equaliser was just an accident for them.

In the second half, the away team quickly regained stability and repeated their first-half pressure. Their dominance was rewarded with three successive goals by Neven, Jeremie Lynch and Nhat Minh. Notably, this was the third consecutive match that Lynch scored for Quang Ninh Coal in the 2020 AFC Cup.

The convincing 4-1 victory over Svay Rieng lifted Phan Thanh Hung’s side from bottom place to second in Group G with four points, thus boosting their hopes for a place in the knock-out round. Next up for them will be a home clash against the Cambodian representatives on April 14.