SLNA defeated the Malaysian champion, Phan Van Duc was the best player of the match

SLNA was rated lower, but with home field advantage they were the ones who took the initiative. And a moment of laxity in the opponent's defense brought a gift to SLNA.

In the 23rd minute, from a pass from Khac Ngoc, the Johor National Team defense stood still as U23 Vietnam player Phan Van Duc broke the offside trap, controlled the ball neatly before eliminating the Johor goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net. The score was 1-0 for SLNA.

Conceding an early goal, Johor Darul Ta'zim tried to push up their formation and had a chance to equalize, but the away team's players were quite clumsy and lacked creativity in their attacks.

In the 35th minute, Ho Tuan Tai dribbled the ball and then took a bold shot from outside the penalty area, goalkeeper Farizal was defeated, but unfortunately the ball went wide of the visitors' post. Two minutes later, it was still Ho Tuan Tai, but the Nghe An player did not control the ball well in the penalty area, missing the opportunity to increase the gap for the home team.

The first half ended with a temporary score of 1-0 in favor of the home team SLNA, thanks to a goal by midfielder Phan Van Duc.

Striker Phan Van Duc had an explosive match. Photo: Thanh Cuong

In the second half, SLNA played slowly and steadily on their home field, waiting for a counter-attack opportunity, but the number of opportunities created by the home team was quite superior. In the 56th minute, Johor goalkeeper Mohd Farizal made a save after a close-range shot by Ho Tuan Tai.

In this match, goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh's replacement, Le Van Hung, played quite confidently. In the 61st minute, Argentine striker Figueroa from Johor Darul made a dangerous long-range shot but goalkeeper Van Hung showed his talent in saving the goal.

In the 68th minute, the goalkeeper made a mistake when he missed the ball from the opponent's free kick. Luckily for SLNA, no Johor player touched the ball in the chaotic situation in front of the home team's goal. In the remaining time, the match was slow and not many opportunities were created until the 88th minute. Phan Van Duc escaped down the left wing, he shot past the control of the away team's goalkeeper but a defender in blue came back in time to cover.

Before that, Le The Cuong attacked from the right wing and faced goalkeeper Mohd Farizal but his shot was as strong as a thread. However, this shot could not defeat the veteran goalkeeper on the Malaysian side.

Teammates celebrate Pham Xuan Manh's goal. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Things were not over for Johor DT, as SLNA scored their second goal in the 4th minute of extra time. In a lightning-fast counterattack, Xuan Manh rushed forward to receive a pass from his teammate and then fired a decisive shot, even though goalkeeper Mohd Farizal touched the ball with his hand, he could not save the away team. The score was 2-0 for SLNA.

The match ended with a score of 2-0 for the Nghe An team, striker Phan Van Duc was voted the best player of the match. Thus, coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team ranked first in Group H after two consecutive victories in the 2018 AFC Cup./.

Score:Van Duc (23'), Xuan Manh (90+4).

Starting lineup:

SLNA:Van Hung (goalkeeper), Ngoc Duc, Ngoc Hai, Van Khanh, Sy Sam, Tuan Tai, Xuan Manh, Khac Ngoc, Van Duc, Xuan Toan, Olaha.

Johor Darul Ta'zim:Mohd Farizal (goalkeeper), Fazail, Rahim, Bakri, Kunanlan, Harun, Figueroa, Corbin-Ong, Fadhli Shas, Safawi, Natxo Insa.

Match statistics. Photo: AFC