V.League: Newbies Viettel out of relegation zone after home win

A late goal by Bui Tien Dung helped newly promoted Viettel edge past Nam Dinh FC 1-0 in matchday 5 of the 2019 V.League on April 13, thus moving themselves up to ninth place in the table three points above the relegation zone.

Bui Tien Dung (left) celebrates scoring Viettel’s winning goal. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
Bui Tien Dung (left) celebrates scoring Viettel’s winning goal. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

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Ahead of their meeting at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, both Viettel and Nam Dinh FC had been in crisis claiming only one win after the first four matches. Given that fact, the two sides entered the match with strong determination aimed at a win to regain the trust their fans.

Viettel threatened the away side’s goal after two minutes, as Hoang Duc skewed a volley narrowly wide.

In the remainder of the first half, both teams created a number of scoring opportunities but failed to capitalise on them to break the deadlock.

Viettel maintained control after halftime pouring increased offensive pressure on the Nam Dinh goal. In response, manager Nguyen Van Sy directed his players to solidify their defence, thus preventing the home side from producing any clear-cut chances.

As the match was seemingly going to end up in a goalless draw, centre back Bui Tien Dung headed home from close range a few minutes before the final whistle to seal a precious win for Viettel.

Newly promoted Viettel (in red) undergo a tough match against Nam Dinh FC in matchday 5 of the 2019 V.League. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

The victory temporarily rescued the V.League newbies out of crisis and lifted them to ninth position with six points. Meanwhile, Nam Dinh FC fell to third from bottom and will officially join the relegation race after matchday 5 concludes.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai put an end to their disappointing three-game losing run by defeating the visitors Quang Ninh Coal 3-2 in a nail-biting match at Pleiku Stadium on the same day.

Forward Van Toan opened the scoring for the Gia Lai team in the 22nd minute before Viet Hung doubled their advantage by slotting in from close range four minutes later.

The third goal for Duong Minh Ninh’s side arrived six minutes after the hour mark, with Van Toan successfully converting a cross from Walsh.

Quang Ninh Coal threatened to reverse the situation by scoring two consecutive goals in just the next four minutes, thanks to the attempts of foreigners Yao Hermann and Dyachenko. However, the man disadvantage, following an indirect red card shown to Lastro Neven, prevented the guests from finding the back of the net with time running out.

This was the first home-field triumph for Hoang Anh Gia Lai this season, which temporarily rescued them out of crisis after three losses in a row.