>>> V.League preview: Hanoi FC with compulsory three-point mission against Saigon
Determined to redeem themselves after two consecutive last-minute draws, the capital team deployed attacks right from the start and needed just 12 minutes to take the lead, with Pape Omar cleverly blasting a shot past keeper Van Phong.
In the 26th minute, midfielder Quang Hai came off the bench to replace injured Duc Huy. The fan favourite promptly proved his value by assisting striker Van Quyet to double Hanoi’s advantage with a cunning volley from the edge of the box a few minutes later.
Saigon FC managed to pull a goal back on the stroke of half-time thanks to a brilliant personal showing of newly signed Geovane Silveira, who comfortably dribbled the ball from midfield into the penalty area before beating keeper Van Cong in a one-on-one.
Early in the second half, Geovane Silveira almost equalised the score for Nguyen Thanh Cong’s side, blasting a strike over the crossbar from outside the box. Missing out on the opportunity, Saigon FC paid the price as Pape Omar headed home from close range to complete his double nine minutes after the hour mark.
Not until stoppage time did Hanoi FC’s rally cease, with Quang Hai shooting past keeper Van Phong to seal an overwhelming 4-1 victory for the reigning champions.
The convincing win helped Hanoi FC narrow the gap with title-race leaders HCM City to one point, after Chung Hae-seong’s troops were held to an away 3-3 draw by Thanh Hoa FC.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai moved six points clear of the bottom as a result of their amazing 3-2 triumph over Song Lam Nghe An, while Becamex Binh Duong tied 1-1 with Quang Nam FC on home field.
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V.League - Matchday 17 - Viettel v Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN - July 21, 2019. Viettel players celebrate after the match. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
Hai Phong FC and SHB Da Nang recorded respective 3-2 and 2-0 wins against Quang Ninh Coal and Nam Dinh FC. Meanwhile, newly promoted Viettel hardly broke a sweat to beat bottom-placed Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN by two straight goals.
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