Hanoi, Binh Duong to play Singaporean, Philippine teams in AFC Cup

Hanoi FC are ready to take on Tampines Rovers of Singapore in the second match of Group F of the AFC Cup 2019. (Photo: news4.vnay.com.vn)

Hanoi (VNA) - V. League 1 defending champions Hanoi FC will play Tampines Rovers of Singapore away in the second match of Group F of the Asian Federation Confederation (AFC) Cup 2019 on March 12.

Hanoi FC lead the group with a dominant 10-0 win against Nagaworld of Cambodia in the opener. Tampines Rovers also secured three points after beating Yangon United of Myanmar but they rank second because of goal difference.

Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem said Hanoi FC are in the good position condition to take a win over Tampines Rovers at Jurong West Sports and Recreation Centre. In the V.League 1, Hanoi FC beat Viettel 2-0 in a derby last week to rank second in the standings.

Meanwhile, Tampines Rovers lead the Singapore Premier League 2019 (SPL) with two wins.

Tampines Rovers are the best team of Singapore now with five SPL titles, three National Cups and one ASEAN Club Championship. They entered quarter-finals of AFC Cup in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2016.  

In their four previous meetings with Tampines Rovers at the AFC Cup, Hanoi FC had two wins, one draw and one loss.

Meanwhile, another Vietnamese representative, National Cup champions Becamex Binh Duong will face Ceres-Negros of the Philippines in Group G at their home Go Dau stadium.

Becamex Binh Duong began the tournament with a goalless draw against Persija Jakarta of Indonesia, while Ceres Negros defeated Shan United of Myanmar.

Ceres Negros FC are considered a prominent name of the Southeast Asian region. Although they were only founded in 2012, they have won the Philippines Football League three times in 2015, 2017 and 2018 alongside National Cup and United Football League FA League Cup titles.

Meanwhile, Becamex Binh Duong’s best performance in the AFC Cup came in 2009, when they made a surprise run to the semi-finals.-VNA