What are Bahraini thinking ?

Da Nang's AFC Cup quarter-final opponent Al Riffa wants both two legs to be played in Bahrain because they can't find travel route to Vietnam. LOL. Of course, the AFC has rejected this unreasonable request.

Al Riffa must play in Vietnam: AFC

I remember Syrian club Al Karamah traveled between Syria and Vietnam 2 times in a week last year without complaining. And Da Nang, are they supposed to return to Vietnam after playing the first leg? Al Riffa can ask them for a lift. LOL

AFC Cup Quarter final: Da Nang v Al-Riffa

Vietnamese club Da Nang will meet Al-Riffa from Bahrain in the quarter final of AFC Cup 2010. The first and second leg will be played on September 14 and 21 respectively. The semi-finals will be also played in 2 legs while there will be only one match in the final. Info about Al-Riffa is quite little and I will try to update more.

Quarter-finals
1	Al Riffa (Bahrain)	SHB Da Nang (VIE)
2	Al Karamah (SYR)	Muangthong United (THA)
3	Thai Port (THA)	Al Qadsia (KUW)
4	Al Ittihad (SYR)	Kazma (KUW)

Semi-finals
1	QF2 winner	QF4 winner
2	QF1 winner	QF3 winner

Final
SF2 winner	SF1 winner

AFC Cup: Da Nang won after extra time

Da Nang v Binh Duong: 4-3 (Merlo (2), Duy Lam, Hung Son - Anh Duc, Philani, Kesley)

A thrilling encounter ended as a victory for home team Da Nang. The scoreline was 2-2 after 90 mins and Merlo put Da Nang in front with his second goal in the first half of extra-time. However, Kesley quickly scored the third goal to equalize for Binh Duong. When fans and both sides thought the winner would be determined by penalty-shooting, Da Nang's super substitute Doan Hung Son scored the winning goal at the last minute of extra-time to send the home fans into rapture. Da Nang advanced to the quarter-finals of AFC Cup 2010!

AFC Cup 2010: Round of 16

Al-Karamah (Syria) v Nasaf Qarshi (Uzbekistan)
Kazma (Kuwait) v Shabab Al-Ordon (Jordan)
Al-Rayyan (Qatar) v Muangthong Utd (Thailand)
South China (Hong Kong) v Al-Riffa (Bahrain)
Al-Kuwait (Kuwait) v Al-Ittihad (Syria)
Al-Qadsia (Kuwait) v Churchills Brothers (India)
Sriwijaya (Indonesia) v Thai Port (Thailand)
Da Nang (Vietnam) v Binh Duong (Vietnam)

These matches will be played on May 11 and 12.

So, what Vietnamese fans didn't expect has come true. Two Vietnamese clubs will have to fight each other for a place in the next round. Some people may feel disappointed about the draw. However, just look at the positive side. Vietnamese clubs has already secured a place in the quarter-finals. That's not so bad.

Regarding situations of other SEA clubs, Singaporean and Malaysian teams were all out. Sriwijaya from Indonesia will enjoy home advantage against Thai side Thai Port. Other Thai club Muangthong will face a difficult away game against Qatari side Al-Rayyan. Remember Al-Rayyan has a terrific striker, former-Middlesbrough player Afonso Alves. He is leading the top goalscorers table with 8 goals at the moment.

AFC Cup Round of 16 to be redrawn ?

In a recent interview, Ngo Van Ta, a director of SHB Da Nang, told the press that round of 16 of AFC Cup 2010 can be redrawn in case there is a game involving two clubs from the same nation.

SHB Da Nang is leading in group F of AFC Cup and need only 1 more point to win it. According to the fixture provided by the AFC, Da Nang will meet group H's runner-up which can be another Vietnamese club Binh Duong. Mr Ta said the AFC does not expect a one-nation match in the round of 16 and the previous fixture can be changed. It is likely an all-east-asia draw of round of 16 can be made for winners of groups F to H if that case happens.

AFC Cup: Da Nang ease past Tai Po while Binh Duong defeated in Indonesia

Da Nang v Tai Po: 3-0 (Huynh Quoc Anh (2), Nguyen Rogerio)
Highlight Clip

Despite fielding a squad without some key players such as Gaston Merlo and Phan Thanh Hung, SHB Da Nang still managed to record an easy victory over Hong Kong side Wofoo Tai Po. Left-winger Huynh Quoc Anh had an outstanding performance as he scored 2 goals and caused all kinds of problems for Tai Po's backline. Personally I think he would be an ideal replacement for out-of-form Le Cong Vinh (who is planning to retire at the age of 25 lol) in the left-attacker position in Vietnam national team squad.

Sriwijaya v Binh Duong: 1-0

I didn't have a chance to watch the match. Just reading the match report on AFC site suggested me that Binh Duong's strikers still got stuck as they had done lately. The defeat in Indonesia meant Binh Duong will have to win the return leg against Sriwijaya if they want to finish group stage at top position. Otherwise, there would be high chance that two Vietnamese teams will clash each other right in the round of 16 as Da Nang is likely to win group F. Hope that it will not happen too soon.

AFC Cup: Poor defending nearly cost Da Nang two points

(Pic by Huu Quy)

SHB Da Nang v Geylang Utd: 3-2 (Merlo, Niko, Doan Hung Son)

Da Nang faced more difficulties than they expected in AFC Cup clash vs S-league side Geylang Utd yesterday. Although the host controlled the game throughout the match, their defending mistakes allowed the visitors to find 2 goals from set-piece. Fortunately, the host was relieved that Doan Hung Son's precious goal in injury time help Da Nang get maximum point in their second game of AFC Cup 2010.

Other result: Tai Po v Thai Port: 0-1

Clip: SHB Da Nang v Geylang Utd: 3-2

AFC Cup: Binh Duong won the game, not the fans

Binh Duong v Victory SC: 3-0 (Huynh Kesley, Philani, Minh Chuyen)

Although Binh Duong's highly-rated attackers managed to find Victory's net three times to earn their first win in AFC Cup 2010, no fan was too impressed by their manner. The host's first goal was scored from a penalty kick while the third goal was a very lucky one. Besides, Binh Duong had not improved its terrible V-league form as their front missed dozens of clear chances while their backline made some serious mistakes.

Group H other result: Sriwijaya v Selangor: 6-1

AFC Cup 2010: Binh Duong draw, Da Nang win

Selangor (Malaysia) v Binh Duong: 0-0
Match Report

Binh Duong were more than pleased with the outcome as lady luck and brilliant GK The Anh saved them from losing last night. The whole squad did not seem to be at their best fitness. Traveling from Khanh Hoa to Sai Gon by coach just 3 days ago, flying to Malaysia and keep traveling to Selangor by coach again, Binh Duong didn't not have best preparation. Some Vietnamese newspaper criticized their poor performance but I think a draw was fair as Selangor played pretty well in the second half.

I could not watch this match but managed to find a Malaysian live radio report. Of course I did not understand anything the commentator said except some players' names. Especially when the match was coming to the end, I could not remember how many times he shouted "Safee Sali!!!!" and the noise from the crowds made me think Selangor had scored at least some goals. A goalless draw is not a bad result for Binh Duong at all.

Other result from group H: Victory (Maldives) v Sriwijaya (Indonesia): 0-0
A bit surprise that Sriwijaya was held to a draw.

Thai Port v SHB Da Nang: 2-3

It seemed an interesting game. Da Nang's Argentine duo Gaston Merlo and Niko contributed 2 goals while Vietnam international Phan Thanh Hung scored the third one. It was a very good result for Da Nang. It will certainly help them ease the criticism from media.

Clip: Thai Port 2-3 Da Nang

Other result from group H: Geylang (Singapore) v Taipo (Hong Kong): 1-1

AFC Cup 2010: Vacant slots draw result

Group F:
Binh Duong (Vietnam)
Sriwijaya (Indonesia)
Selangor (Malaysia)
Victory SC (Maldives)

Group G:
Muangthong United (Thailand)
South China (Hong Kong)
VB (Maldives)
Persiwa (Indonesia)

Group H:
Thai Port (Thailand)
SHB Da Nang (Vietnam)
Tai Po (Hong Kong)
Geylang (Singapore)

AFC Cup 2010 Draw

WEST

Group A
ACL Play-off 2 (West), Shabab Al Ordon (JOR), Ahli Sana'a (YEM), Cup Winner (OMA)

Group B
Kuwait SC (KUW), ACL Play-off 1 (West), Al Najaf (IRQ), Al Hilal (YEM)

Group C
Al Ahed (LIB), Kazma (KUW), Al Jaish (SYR), Arbil (IRQ)

Group D
Cup Winner (IND), Al Nejmeh (LIB), Qadsia (KUW), Al Ittihad (SYR)

Group E
Al Wehdat (JOR), Riffa (BHR), Al Nahda (OMA), Play-off Winner

EAST

Group F
Victory (MDV), Binh Duong (VIE), Selangor (MAS), ACL Play-off 1 (East)

Group G
South China (HKG), V.B. (MDV), Persiwa (IDN), ACL Play-off 2 (East)

Group H
Thai Port (THA), Tai Po (HKG), Geylang (SIN), ACL Play-off 3 (East)

Playoff draw
Nasaf (UZB) v Al Rayyan (QAT)
--------------------------------------

AFC Cup 2009 semi-finalists Binh Duong must have been pleased with the draw. They will face Victory from Maldives, Malaysia's Selangor and one of ACL Play-off losers.

AFC Cup 2009 saw Binh Duong top 'group of death' and thrash teams from Malaysia and Maldives.
Binh Duong v Valencia (Maldives): 3-0
Valencia (Maldives) v Binh Duong: 0-5
Binh Duong v Kedah (Malaysia): 8-1

If Da Nang lose ACL Play-off, they will be placed in either group G or group H.

It's over for Binh Duong

AFC Cup 2009 Semi-finals Results:
Al Karamah v Binh Duong 3-0 (4-2)
South China v Kuwait SC 0-1 (1-3)

So Binh Duong's unbeaten run of 9 games in AFC Cup has come to an end. Although being eliminated, they are still well-deserved all praise for playing with their utmost. For failing to get to the final, Binh Duong will not have a chance for ACL play-off next year. However, I think AFC Cup 2010 title would be a more suitable target for them.

Binh Duong to make history ?

Binh Duong won the first leg of their semi-final clash 2-1 at Go Dau. That means the Vietnamese side will go into Wednesday's game knowing a draw will be enough to see them through to the final of AFC Cup 2009.

However, coach Mai Duc Chung is fully aware the size of the task his side face against Al Karamah, who have yet to lose at home in this year's competition, after failing to take advantage of their dominance in the first meeting.

"The second leg is always harder than the first match because it is decisive," he said.

"It is also important because the result of the first match is close, although we could have had a better result."

"I hope that we will be lucky on Wednesday as Al Karamah were lucky in the first leg," he added.

"We know that Al Karamah will have a good advantage and they are hard to beat at home."

Duc Chung, though, is confident his Binh Duong players can rise to the occasion.

"We are accustomed to playing big games and we must play with plenty of concentration," he stressed.

"Al Karamah are under big pressure while our players are eager to get a good result to qualify for the final."

Al Karamah coach Mohamad Kwid has called on his players to take advantage of last week's lucky escape in Vietnam and qualify for the final of the AFC Cup.

Kwid described the first-leg match as one of their worst performances of the season.

The 53-year-old feels his side are fortunate to still be in the tie but now expects them to prove more clinical in front of goal in the return at Khaled Ibn Al Waleed Stadium.

"We played one of our worst games in the first leg in Vietnam but the consolation is that we got a good result despite the defeat and the goal that we scored will help us a lot," said Kwid.

"I was not satisfied with the attacking display and we must be more efficient in front of goal. At the same time we must be careful because if they score a goal it will be costly for us and the players will be under pressure.

"A goal will be enough for us to qualify for the final but achieving this is not easy," he added.

"Binh Duong produced a good performance in the first leg and they have quality players like South African striker Philani."

source: the-afc.com

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It's gonna be a tense match for Binh Duong because clubs from West Asia often play a lot better at home. If Binh Duong manage to beat Al Karamah, they will be the first club of Southeast Asia (or East Asia in case South China lose) to play a final of AFC Cup.