AFC Cup: Tampines Rovers cruise to 3-1 victory over Hanoi T&T to close in on top spot

By Tan Jon Han/Red Sports

Jalan Besar Stadium, Wednesday, April 27, 2011 — Aleksandar Duric followed up with Ahmad Latiff’s brace to lead the Tampines Rovers to a 3-1 victory over Hanoi T&T in the 2011 AFC Cup.

Aleksandar Duric scored his fourth goal in as many cup games in the second half to seal the points for the Stags.

Ahmad Latiff opened the scoring after sending a shot through a congested Hanoi penalty area. The second came 11 minutes later from a 25 meter half-volley that left T&T goalkeeper Duong Hong Son with no chance as the ball flew into the top corner.

The second goal seemed to inspire the visitors as point man Le Cong Vinh started to threaten the Rover’s defense. However it was Marronkle Gonzalo Damian (T&T #20) who found the net first.

The Argentinian was allowed too much space to collect a cross from teammate Nguyen Quoc Long (T&T #22) in the 28th minute, firing it past Hassan Sunny (Rovers #1).

The Tampines Rovers started the second from where they left off in the first half, and it was Duric (#9) who made it 3-1 after picking up Imran Sahib’s (Rovers #11) cross 20 minutes from time.

There are two more games to play in the group stage and the Stags next meet Group G leaders Victory SC of the Maldives. Victory will guarantee a place in the knockout stage of the tournament.

For more photos, go to the next page.