Pune FC’s dream of making it into the AFC Champions League group-stage came to an end after a 3-0 defeat to Vietnamese side Hanoi T&T FC at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, here on Wednesday.
Second-half strikes from defender Sam Gallagher (52nd minute), substitute Nguyen Van Quyet (71st) and midfielder Hector (83rd) saw Hanoi through to the next round of the ACL play-offs.
Pune FC will now play in Group H of the AFC Cup beginning later in February.
Pune FC had the first best chance of the match in the 19th minute after winger Anthony D’Souza managed to get into the clear on the left. He drilled a low shot which keeper Nguyen Van Cong parried away.
The rebound, however, fell for Gabriel Fernandes who continued run inside the box. With the ball awkwardly falling for the Goan, he failed to finish from close range.
Minutes later Gabriel’s shot from the right was once again blocked by the defence after striker Riga Mustapha sent him in the clear.
