Hà Nội T&T continued their 100% winning start in the 2014 AFC Cup with an impressive 3 – 1 victory over Arema of Indonesia.

Hà Nội T&T, fresh from a convincing 5-1 home win over Maziya in their opening match, traveled to Malang to face the 2013 Indonesian League runners up. The Hà Nội T&T line up included rookie keeper’ Van Cuong and in form striker Van Quyet, although midfielder,Hector, was missing, along with the suspended duo of Gallagher and Samson.

Match highlights & photos

 The Vietnamese league Champions began brightly and took the lead after 20 minutes when Gonzalo followed up after Van Hieu’s shot had been turned on to the post.

The lead lasted just six minutes, as T&T central defender Duy Khanh was adjudged to have handled in the area. Gonzales sent the home sides fanatical supporters wild as he squeezed his penalty under Ha Noi keeper’ Van Cuong.

Just six minutes later Gonzalo grabbed his, and Hà Nội’s, second of the match after an Arema defender was adjudged to have pushed the striker inside the box.  The Argentine striker, making his first start since mid February due to injury, made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Arema dominated the early stages of the second half, keeping T&T on the back foot. But even with the passionate support of the home fans they were unable to find an equaliser. Hà Nội sealed the game late on as Văn Quyết beat his marker and fired in a fine finish beyond Hermansyah in the Arema goal.  The Vietnamese International now has 4 goals in the tournament and seven in all competitions.

The other match in Group F saw Selangor of Malaysia draw 1-1 against Maziya, in the Maldives. The Malaysians held on for a point despite playing most of the second half with 10 men, after keeper Mohamed Hamsan was sent off.  The visitors had taken the lead when Pantelidis turned in a corner just before half time.

Hamsen was then sent off three minutes after the restart when he brought down Abdulla Asadhulla inside the area. Maziya’s Mohamed converted the resulting spot kick. Maziya piled on the pressure late on but Selangor held on for their second point of the campaign.

 Selangor with now travel to Hà Nội, while Arema will hope for their first win of the campaign against Maziya S&R.

Arema              1 v 3               Hà Nội T&T

Alfaro 27′                                              Gonzalo 20 & 33′,  Văn Quyết 89′

Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, Indonesia,  att. 29,130    

Cover photo: www.facebook.com/CLBHaNoi.TT