Midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải celebrates a goal in the AFC Cup match against Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan in the Inter-zone semi-final first leg last season. — Photo the-afc.com
HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's star midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải is again on the Asian Football Confederation’s radar with one of his free kick goals being listed in the AFC Cup’s top five.
The continental football governing body is running a series called ‘5 of the Best’, and this time it ranks set pieces.
The AFC chose Hải’s free kick in a match between V.League 1 champions Hà Nội FC and Altyn Asyr of Turkmenistan in the Inter-zone semi-final first leg last season.
It said: “Anywhere just outside the penalty area is Nguyễn Quang Hải territory and in the 2019 Inter-Zone semi-final first leg, he showed Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr exactly what he was capable of with a delightful effort that left goalkeeper Mammet Orazmuhammedov flat-footed.
“With Hà Nội FC a goal down as half-time approached, the midfielder bent the ball around the wall to level the scores with his first of two stunning goals in a 3-2 victory for the Vietnamese champions.”
The goal is in fact leading the poll with 80 per cent of fans plumping for it.
Earlier this month, the AFC named the goal one of the five best left-foot finishes.
The other four free kicks were by Yousef Nasser of Qadsia SC against Al Suwaiq last March, Sayed Mohamed Adnan of Al Hidd against Safa in April 2017, Sunil Chhetri of Bengaluru FC against Maziya in May 2017, and Gerald Pangkali of Persipura Jayapura against Warriors FC in March 2015.
Fans can vote for their favourite free kick at https://www.the-afc.com/competitions/afc-cup/latest/news/5-of-the-best-free-kicks-x8012 until June 5. — VNS
OVietnam