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| AFC CUP 2009 |
Narongchai Vachiraban’s free-kick cancelled out Peres de Oliveira’s opener for the hosts but Firdaus’ brace ensured that Home joined Group H winners Binh Duong in the last 16.
Home entered the match a point behind PEA and knowing that nothing less than a win would do against the Thais.
They went all out in search of goals from the opening whistle and PEA goalkeeper Umarin Yaodam was kept busy as he turned aside efforts by Shi Jiayi, Peres de Oliveira and Shahril Ishak in the first half.
However there was nothing he could do on the stroke of half-time as Brazilian midfielder de Oliveira curled home a free-kick from the edge of the box to give Home a 1-0 lead.
The Protectors carried on where they left off after the break and continued to dominate but Narongchai levelled for PEA against the run of play in the 56th minute when he crashed a superb free-kick past goalkeeper Lionel Lewis.
Needing a goal to regain the advantage, Protectors coach P N Sivaji sent on Firdaus in place of Itimi Dickson in the 64th minute.
The switch paid off almost immediately as the forward met Shi Jiayi’s cross from the right with a controlled volley from close range to restore his team’s lead three minutes later.
He then sealed victory with a superb effort four minutes from time. Receiving the ball from de Oliveira 25 metres from goal, the youngster left the PEA defence for dead with a quick burst of acceleration before coolly slotting past Umarin.
Home will now advance to take on Hong Kong champions South China in the round of 16 on June 23.
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