The clash between the top two teams of the previous round took place in high intensity until the last minute of play, with both targeting a win to foster their hopes for the crown.
With Samson’s absence, guests Hanoi T&T chose to play counterattack, which proved effective against increasing pressure from Quang Ninh.
The high level of tension remained throughout the entire match, with the Singaporean referee forced to issue two red and five yellow cards to players of both sides.
As it seemed to be an aggregate draw, Van Quyet drove a close-range finish in the second half’s injury time to secure a precious away win for last year’s runners-up Hanoi T&T.
Quyet’s late opener dealt a big blow on the breakthrough ambitions of Hai Phong and SHB Da Nang.
Despite their resounding 5-2 victory against Long An, Hai Phong still settled for second place, behind the team from Hanoi, due to the goal difference.
Meanwhile, SHB Da Nang came in third just one point below the two frontrunners in spite of their 3-1 win over Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
The victory of Hanoi, Hai Phong and Da Nang officially put an end to the title campaign of FLC Thanh Hoa, who are now suffering a five-point gap compared to the leaders after a home 2-1 victory against Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN.
Song Lam Nghe An safeguarded their place in the middle of the rankings as a result of their 4-2 win over XSKT Can Tho, while QNK Quang Nam did the same thing after beating reigning champions Becamex Binh Duong 3-1 on home turf.
Bottom-placed Dong Thap were assured to be relegated to next year’s First Division. The 0-4 loss against Saigon on Sunday “protected” Dong Thap’s modest eight points after 25 rounds of play.
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