Erbil comfortably advances to semi-finals of AFC
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Second-half goals by Amjed Radhi and Halkord Mulla Mohammad gave Erbil a 2-0 win over Vietnamese champions Hanoi T&T as the Iraqi side comfortably advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup for the third time in four years.
Having scored the only goal in Erbil’s 1-0 win in the first leg of the quarter-final in Hanoi, Radhi extended his side’s advantage with a penalty in the 58th minute at Saida Municipal Stadium.
Halkord then fired home in the 89th minute to secure a 3-0 aggregate victory for the 2012 runners-up, who will meet Hong Kong side Kitchee in the semi-finals next month.
Hanoi T&T were forced to chase the game after losing at home in the first leg and they made a bright start as they controlled proceedings during the first half with Erbil struggling to impose themselves.
The visitors created their best chance of the half in the 41st minute when Samson Kayode went past Erbil defender Ali Faez on the left and advanced into the box before unleashing a powerful shot that was tipped over the crossbar by Erbil goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.
After being on the back foot for much of the opening 45 minutes, the Iraqi side wrested control of midfield after the interval and they began to turn the screw on their opponents.
Their pressure finally told just before the hour mark when they were awarded a penalty after Hanoi defender Nguyen Van Bien handled the ball inside the box.
Radhi took responsibility for the spot kick and he made no mistake as he slotted the ball to the left side past Hanoi goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong.
Erbil went close to extending their advantage in the 64th minute after a low cross from the left by Mohammed Jaffal went across the face of goal to Luay Salah who directed his attempt on goal only to be denied by Van Cong, who stuck out his left boot to make a fine save.
However, the Iraqi club would seal their victory a minute from time as second half substitute Halkord Mulla Mohammad played a neat one-two with Salah before advancing into the box and slotting the ball past Van Cong. /End/