KEDAH UNITED

ALOR SETAR: Come May 19, either Kedah or Eastern Athletic of Hong Kong will finish as runners-up in Group G and qualify for the AFC Cup knockout stage.

With just one round of group matches remaining, both teams are tied on seven points, with the Malaysian treble champions ahead on goal difference.

However, their destinies hinge on how their respective opponents approach the final group matches in two weeks’ time.

Kedah’s May 19 opponents Chonburi have secured top spot in the group and took their foot off the pedal in Tuesday’s 1-2 defeat by Eastern in Hong Kong. It was the Thais’ first defeat of the campaign after four straight convincing victories.

Eastern’s opponents, Hanoi ACB, are out of the running for a last 16 spot after being roasted 0-7 by the Canaries in Alor Setar on Tuesday.

The Vietnamese club side admitted after the thrashing that they could not keep up with Kedah because they were playing with virtually a reserve team. Hanoi rested their first squad for domestic commitments.

“We suffered a heavy defeat because we came to Malaysia with our young players. Only three of my regulars faced Kedah,” said Hanoi coach Nguyen Cong Vinh.

Said the Hanoi ACB coach: “The Vietnam domestic league will have a mid-season break in a fortnight’s time and we can afford to put out our best line-up for the AFC Cup final group match. We will give our best effort against Eastern.”

Following Chonburi’s surprise defeat to Eastern, Kedah coach Mohd Azraai Khor declared that it was dangerous for the Canaries to solely rely on favours from other teams to qualify for the knockout stage.

KEDAH re-ignited their hopes of reaching the AFC Cup quarter-finals by routing Vietnam's Hanoi ACB 7-0 in a Group G match at the Darulaman Stadium yesterday. Azrul Ahmad, a replacement for the suspended Khyril Muhymeen, blasted a hat-trick to give Kedah the overwhelming victory.

Kedah, a double treble champions, went on the offensive right from the whistle and came close to scoring on several occasions in the opening 10 minutes.

They found the breakthrough in the 13th minute when attacking midfielder Azrul opened accounts for Kedah from close range in the 13th minute.

Kedah increased their lead when Azrul turned in a cross from Faizal Abu Bakar in the 30th minute, in a match that attracted a full capacity crowd of 20,000.
Azrul turned provider three minutes later when his through ball was collected by Farizal Rozali, who guided it into goal.

In the second half, Kedah continued to dominate proceedings against the Vietnamese and registered their fourth goal through Mohd Afif Amiruddin in the 64th minute.

Sabri Abu scored Kedah's fifth goal five minutes later before Azrul got his hat-trick when he converted a penalty in the 79th minute. Kedah struck the final blow in injury time through Shahrulnizam Mustapha.

Kedah and Hong Kong's Eastern Athletic, who surprised group leaders Chonburi FC of Thailand 2-1 at home, are levelled on seven points but the former are second on goal difference.

Kedah need to beat Chonburi in their final group match on May 19 to qualify for the knock-out stage. Meanwhile, Johor FC suffered their fourth defeat in Group B of the competition when they lost 2-0 to V.B Sports of Maldives in Male.

 Mohd. Farizal Rozali, 25  and Mohd. Azrul Ahmad, 23 from Penang has joined Kedah team for next season.Former Perak midfielder, Shahrulnizam Mustapha, 27,  also joined the trebble winner. Mohd. Farizal will play as forward,Mohd. Azrul for winger position and Shahrulnizam will play in the midfield. Another player,Mohd. Hafif Amiruddin from Police will join for defender position.