Late goals rescue Thanh Hoa from defeat at Hoang Anh Gia Lai

Hoang Anh Gia Lai forward Nguyen Van Toan (left) in action with a Thanh Hoa player during their V.League match at Pleiku Stadium on April 28. (Photo: VPF)
Hoang Anh Gia Lai forward Nguyen Van Toan (left) in action with a Thanh Hoa player during their V.League match at Pleiku Stadium on April 28. (Photo: VPF)

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Thanh Hoa FC travelled to Hoang Anh Gia Lai with the ultimate goal of scoring their first win of the season. However, their ambition was dealt a big blow as Truong Trong Sang headed the ball home to open the scoring for the hosts after 14 minutes.

The unexpected goal forced the guests to intensify their attacks seeking to equalise the score. Thanh Hoa’s efforts paid off in the 26th minute, with foreign midfielder Gramoz slotting in from close range to restore parity.

Three minutes after the half hour mark, manager Lee Tae-hoon’s troops cruised ahead for the second time thanks to an attempt by forward Chevaughn Walsh.

It was Walsh again who completed a double to make it 3-1 for Hoang Anh Gia Lai just a few minutes after the break.

Cornered, Thanh Hoa FC resurged strongly in the hopes of narrowing the gap. However, the reigning V.League runners-up nearly paid a sharp price for their defensive loopholes as Gia Lai midfielder Viet Hung’s 66th-minute strike was denied by the post.

Chevaughn Walsh accounts for two of Hoang Anh Gia Lai's three goals against Thanh Hoa FC. (Photo: VPF)

Le Thanh Binh reignited the guests’ hopes for a comeback by reducing the score by 2-3 from a penalty spot after Rimario was fouled by Duc Luong in the box.

With their spirit flying high after the goal, Thanh Hoa FC maintained their pressure, aiming to secure away points. In the 89th minute, as it seemed to be another disappointing loss for manager Nguyen Duc Thang’s side, Thanh Hoa captain Van Thang converted a rebound to rescue themselves from an empty-handed trip.

Despite their struggling draw, Thanh Hoa FC remained rooted to bottom place with only four points after seven matches. Thanh Hoa fans must still wait to celebrate the first win of their home team in the 2019 V.League season.

Dropping the victory in last minutes, Hoang Anh Gia Lai temporarily stood in 10th position with seven points.

In other matches on the same day, Quang Ninh Coal edged out Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN 2-1 on home field to climb to fourth in the table with 13 points, four behind the leaders Hanoi FC. Saigon FC also scored a convincing 3-1 triumph against SHB Da Nang to settle for sixth place with 11 points.