Manager Nguyen Quoc Tuan, who takes the place of Frenchman Guillaumer Graechen, made several changes to HA.GL’s starting lineup in their Saturday match, determined to bag all three points whilst playing at home to retain hopes for escaping relegation.
The first half of play was not as lively as expected, with few scoring chances created by both sides and the ball mostly kept in the middle area of the field.
It was not until the hour mark that Nguyen Ngoc Hai broke the deadlock for Song Lam Nghe An with a successful penalty converter, which was earned after HA.GL goalkeeper’s foul on a Nghe An player in the 16m50 area.
With time running out, the home side intensified their attacks seeking to level the score. Their efforts paid off with striker Cong Phuong’s equaliser from the penalty spot just eight minutes later.
Inspired by the equaliser, HA.GL players performed confidently and blasted two additional goals during the remainder of the match, thanks to Hoang Thien’s free kick in the 80th-minute and Van Thanh’s fast counter-attack in the 82nd-minute.
The much-needed victory helped HA.GL to balance the score with Dong Nai (17 points) on the V-League ladder. The remaining fight for escaping relegation promises to be fiercer than ever with just four matches to go.
In other round 22 games, QNK Quang Nam crushed Quang Ninh Coal by two straight goals, while FLC Thanh Hoa continued their winning streak with a close 1-0 win over Dong Thap.
Becamex Binh Duong, Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN, Hanoi T&T and XSKT Can Tho recorded 2-1 victories against Dong Nai, SHB Da Nang, Hai Phong and Dong Tam Long An respectively.
