Becamex Bình Dương celebrate entering the 2019 AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final against PSM Makassar of Indonesia on away goals after their two-leg semi-final ended 2-2 on aggregate. — Photo the-afc.com
Football
HÀ NỘI — Becamex Bình Dương will meet Hà Nội FC in the upcoming 2019 AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final, the competitions first all-Vietnamese final.
Bình Dương earned their spot by beating PSM Makassar of Indonesia on away goals after their two-leg semi-final ended 2-2 on aggregate, with the Indonesian club winning yesterday's return leg 2-1 at home.
Last week in the first leg at home, Bình Dương defeated Makassar 1-0.
Bình Dương, AFC Cup semi-finalists in 2009, entered the game with confidence as they took a win at home.
Taking full advantage of playing at their hometurf, the hosts put lots of early pressure on Bình Dương but goalie Trần Đức Cường managed to keep his team in the game.
The away side broke the deadlock on the brink of half-time, with Wander Luiz heading home defender Hồ Tấn Tài's pinpoint cross.
After the break, Makassar threw everything they had at the Vietnamese.
Their hopes of a recovery were raised in the 75th minute as Tài netted a disastrous own goal, heading heading Zulham Zamrun’s cross into his own net.
The home team took the lead in the 88th minute, with Aaron Evans left all alone at a corner to score easily, heaping the pressure on Bình Dương.
Makassar flooded forward to seek a winner but were unable to make the breakthrough.
The ASEAN Zonal Final is scheduled to take place over two legs from July 31 to August 7. — VNS
OVietnam