HAGL has shown a dynamic comeback after assistant Nguyen Quoc Tuan was appointed as the team’s manager in replacement of former manager Guillaume Graechen, who had been sacked after the conclusion of the 21st round.
Previously sitting on the bottom of the ladder, HAGL scored three consecutive victories in three rounds to secure hope in the remaining race for relegation escape.
Requiring a draw to retain their place in next year’ season, HAGL players deployed attacks right from the start; whilst they had better ball possession, their shots on Long An’s goal proved inaccurate and unsuccessful. The first 45 minutes took place tediously with only a few solid chances to score created by both teams.
The second half was more vibrant with fierce attacks deployed by the home side, but Cong Phuong and Van Toan failed to convert those opportunities into goals for HAGL, with the match ending in a 0-0 draw.
The goalless result gifted HAGL an additional point, raising their points to 24 - the same as XSKT Can Tho and Dong Thap, and three points above bottom-placed Dong Nai who edged out Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN 1-0 in another match played on the same day.
With just one game left to play, HAGL and Dong Thap officially escape relegation despite the result of the last round, as they recorded a better performance in their meetings with Dong Nai thus far in this year’s tournament - an index will be used to decide who will be relegated in case the two teams score the same points.
In other matches of round 25, Becamex Binh Duong lost 1-3 to QNK Quang Nam; XSKT Can Tho and Song Lam Nghe An drew 1-1 with Dong Thap and SHB Da Nang; Hanoi T&T and Hai Phong beat Quang Ninh Coal and FLC Thanh Hoa 1-0.
