AFC Cup: departing Junior Dutra signs off with a goal as Lee Man keep slim qualification hopes alive
- Brazilian scores in second half as Hong Kong Premier League side down Tainan City 3-1
- Lee Man could move to next round depending on result of game between their city rivals Eastern Long Lions and Tainan on Thursday
Junior Dutra signed off with a goal in his last game for Lee Man, as the Hong Kong side kept their slim hopes of qualifying for the next round of the AFC Cup alive with a 3-1 win over Tainan City on Monday.
Second half goals from Yung Hui-to and the Brazilian in Buriram gave Chan Hiu-ming’s side a two-goal lead, before Marc-Mechez Fenelus’ penalty set up the prospect of a tense finish to the Group J clash, only for Chang Hei-yin to settle the game 12 minutes from time.
Victory moves Lee Man level on points with Eastern Long Lions having played one game more than their compatriots, who they lost to 3-1 in the first game, and Chan’s team could still advance depending on the outcome of Thursday’s clash between Tainan City and Eastern.
The manager hailed his side’s performance, and said while he wished they could have scored more goals to put themselves ahead of their city rivals, he was satisfied with the performance overall.
“I am happy to see the team come out of the shadow of the last game, because that was disappointing,” Chan said. “But today we came with a new energy, we were like a new team.
“We just focused on this game and I believe our players gave it their best and we won’t give up believing we can qualify. I’m proud of my players.
“We can’t control the final result, but today we tried to do what we need to do, which was win and score enough goals.”
