Five talking points from V.League 2019 Matchday 19

>>> V.League: Quang Hai, Van Quyet on the scoresheet as Hanoi FC beat B. Binh Duong

>>> V.League: Song Lam Nghe An record crucial win against Viettel

>>> V.League: HCM City dethroned from top spot after unexpected loss

Here following are five talking points from the weekend’s V.League action.

Three of seven fixtures decided by “Fergie time” goals

Ha Long celebrates after scoring a 94th-minute equaliser for Nam Dinh FC.

Three of the seven clashes on matchday 19 recorded “Fergie time” goals (goals scored in stoppage time), which shows the V.League’s increasing excitement and the teams’ perseverance.

Saigon FC beat Hai Phong FC 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp goal from Geovane M.C. Silveira (90’+3), while a 94^th-minute goal by Ha Long helped Nam Dinh FC secured one point against Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Finally, a surprising late winner by Nguyen Trung Dai Duong (90’+4) gifted bottom-place Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN a much-needed victory over leaders HCM City.

Hanoi FC regain top spot

Hanoi FC players celebrate their victory after the match.

Nguyen Van Quyet and Nguyen Quang Hai got on the scoresheet as Hanoi FC beat Becamex Binh Duong 2-1 to resume their grip on top of the table, two points clear of HCM City.

The win came only three days after the capital team edged out Binh Duong 1-0 in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Cup’s ASEAN zonal final. This will be a big source of confidence for Hanoi FC ahead of their AFC Cup second-leg meeting at Hang Day Stadium this August 7.

Sanna Khanh Hoa and the “light at the end of the tunnel”

Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN (in yellow) play a brilliant match against HCM City.

Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN saw the “light at the end of the tunnel” as they came from behind to beat leaders HCM City 2-1 with two goals from Duy Thanh (41’) and Nguyen Trung Dai Duong (90’+4).

Despite still not being enough to rescue Khanh Hoa from rock bottom in the table, the amazing triumph temporarily relieves pressure off Vo Dinh Tan and his players, while allowing them to continue fostering their hopes of avoiding relegation at the end of the season.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai extend unbeaten run

Striker Van Toan is the most active player on the Hoang Anh Gia Lai side during their match with Nam Dinh FC.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai had their unbeaten run widened to four games (two wins and two draws) after being held to a 2-2 tie against Nam Dinh FC over the weekend, with Ha Long earning Nam Dinh an equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Despite the regrettable draw, winning a point at Thien Truong Stadium was also considered a success for Lee Tae-hoon’s side, as many V.League powerhouses, including Hanoi FC, Thanh Hoa FC, SHB Da Nang and Song Lam Nghe An, had previously left empty-handed there.

Saigon FC clinch first win in nine games

Saigon FC (L) have claimed their first win in the last nine V.League matches.

Saigon FC had their eight-game winless run halted as they fought back to beat Hai Phong FC 2-1 to escape the relegation zone, six points clear of bottom-place Sanna Khanh Hoa.

Meanwhile, the home defeat cost Hai Phong dearly, pushing them down to second from bottom. It was a bitter loss for the northern team, as they could not take advantage of a 1-0 lead and a penalty to finish off the game.