Playing with one less player, Hanoi FC lost in China

Striker Joel Tagueu's red card caused Hanoi FC to fail their plan, losing 1-2 at Wuhan Three Towns in the third round of Group J of the AFC Champions League on October 24.

In the fourth minute, when the score was 0-0, Joel Tagueu, eager for the ball, kicked Gao Zhunyi in the face and received a direct red card from Malaysian referee Nazmi Bin Nasaruddin.

The early loss of players has ruined the tactical plan of coach Le Duc Tuan, who just took over at Hanoi FC after the team terminated the contract with coach Bozidar Bandovic early. The new coach of Hanoi FC made a series of changes in this match, using goalkeeper Quan Van Chuan to replace Bui Tan Truong, while the defense was all domestic players and pushing Wilson to play central midfield to replace Do Hung Dung who was not in good form. Hanoi only used two foreign players, although according to the regulations they are allowed to play in six positions.

The referee showed a red card to Joel Tagueu in the match where Hanoi FC lost 1-2 at Wuhan Three Towns on October 24. Photo: Minh Dan

With the advantage of more players, Wuhan Three Towns easily controlled the game, the ball almost only rolled on Hanoi FC's field. However, coach Le Duc Tuan's team played resiliently. Attacking players like Nguyen Van Quyet and Pham Tuan Hai often dropped deep, playing aggressively to support the defense.

But they only lasted until the last official minute of the first half. Goalkeeper Van Chuan blocked Wei Shihao's close-range header, jumped up to block the rebound, but could not save it on the third attempt. Hanoi FC had a chance to equalize right before the end of the first half. However, after Le Van Xuan got past the opposing goalkeeper, his shot was not strong enough, allowing Gao Zhunyi to run back and clear the ball right on the goal line.

Wuhan Three Towns needed more goals to have a good goal difference, in order to compete for second place with Japan's Urawa Reds. Therefore, they sent foreign player Marcao onto the field at the beginning of the second half. The Brazilian striker and his partner Davidson continuously fired shots but all went wide. After many unsuccessful shots with their feet, Marcao scored with his head in the 63rd minute. The 1.93 m tall striker overpowered center back Nguyen Thanh Chung, headed the ball close to the goal to increase the score to 2-0.

Pham Tuan Hai scored to reduce the score to 1-2 for Hanoi FC in China on October 24. Photo: Minh Dan

Hanoi FC did not collapse. Coach Le Duc Tuan continuously made substitutions, bringing Hung Dung, Caion, Nguyen Hai Long, Dau Van Toan onto the field, pushing up the attacking formation. The away team held the ball more, forcing the opponent to gradually return to their home field. After two unsuccessful shots, Hai Long played the role of creator with a pass to Tuan Hai in the 87th minute. The number 9 striker ran continuously from the beginning of the match but still maintained his stamina, making a delicate touch to avoid the opponent's central defender, before defeating goalkeeper Liu Dianzuo.

Hanoi FC were down to nine men in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Dao Van Nam received his second yellow card. However, the Vietnamese representatives continued to attack. They had a chance to equalize but Caion's shot from inside the box late in the match went over the bar.

The defeat in China left Hanoi FC at the bottom of Group J without any points.

Lam Thoa

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