At the ongoing 2021 AFC Champions League, the V.League champions have been drawn against title holders Ulsan Huyndai (Republic of Korea), Kaya FC-Iloilo (Philippines) and BG Pathum United (Thailand).
Viettel FC came round quickly from their narrow 0-1 defeat against Ulsan Huyndai over the weekend, making light work of the Philippine representatives thanks to a brace by Caique and a goal each from Nguyen Hoang Duc, Bui Tien Dung and Vu Minh Tuan.
This resounding victory helps Viettel break the 17-year record for the widest-margin AFC Champions League win for a Vietnamese side. Specifically, at the 2004 tournament, Vietnam’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC thrashed Indonesia’s PSM Makassar with a score of 5-1 en route to their runner-up finish in Group F with seven points.
Vietnam’s previous appearance in the AFC Champions League arena was recorded in 2015 with Becamex Binh Duong as the only representatives of the country. Concluding Group E, Binh Duong finished at bottom with four points from one win, one draw and four losses.
The victory against Kaya FC-Iloilo has lifted Viettel FC to second in Group F. (Photo: AFC)
The convincing triumph against Kaya FC-Iloilo has lifted Viettel FC to second in Group F with three points and a goal difference of +4, behind Ulsan Huyndai on six points and above BG Pathum United (three points, +1) and Kaya FC-Iloilo (zero points).
Next up for manager Jurgen Gede’s side will be a clash with BG Pathum United on July 5.
