SHB Da Nang 2-1 Ayeyawady United

February 28, 2013 | 18:47

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Defending V-League champions SHB Da Nang got off to a good start at the 2013 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup by edging out Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United 2-1 in their Group G opener at Chi Lang stadium on Wednesday.

Merlo (in orange) scores decisive goal to secure victory for SHB Da Nang

Da Nang controlled the game from the first whistle, creating many opportunities to score but failed to convert any of them into goals.

Three minutes before half-time, the home side broke the deadlock as its Romanian defender Sabin Cosmin Goia beat Ayeyawady goalkeeper Aung Min Khant with a cunning nasty header.

The opening goal inspired the host team to play more confidently and continue their first-half domination.

Just ten minutes after the break, Argentinean striker Sebastian Gaston Merlo took a right-wing cross from Danny David Mrwanda before producing a powerful header to double the lead for the Vietnamese team.

Faced with a two-goal deficit, Ayeyawady United intensified their attacks to bridge the gap. Their efforts paid off with a consolation goal by Nay Lin Tun on stoppage time as Da Nang held on to secure a well-deserved victory.

SHB Da Nang will play their second Group G game against Maldives’ Maziya Sports & Recreation on March 13, while other Vietnamese representatives, Saigon Xuan Thanh, will begin their AFC Cup competition with an away clash over Singapore’s Tampines Rovers at Jalan Besar Stadium on March 6.

Nhan Dan

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