V.League 1-2021 Matchweek 8

Trong Hoang’s deflected strike earns Viettel FC narrow win in Hanoi derby

Nguyen Trong Hoang scored with a deflected strike from outside the box to earn title holders Viettel FC a 1-0 victory against Hanoi FC and send Truong Viet Hoang’s side to third place in the V.League 1 table on April 7.

V.League 1-2021 - Matchweek 8 - Viettel FC vs Hanoi FC - Hang Day Stadium - April 7, 2021 Nguyen Trong Hoang (C) celebrates scoring the solitary goal for Viettel FC. (Photo: VPF)
V.League 1-2021 - Matchweek 8 - Viettel FC vs Hanoi FC - Hang Day Stadium - April 7, 2021 Nguyen Trong Hoang (C) celebrates scoring the solitary goal for Viettel FC. (Photo: VPF)

The capital city derby at Hang Day Stadium was greatly anticipated as both teams carved for a triumph to burst forward in the title race, particularly Hanoi FC who parted company with manager Chu Dinh Nghiem and appointed Hoang Van Phuc as a replacement ahead of their Round 8 clash.

It was the Viettel side who started the game better, with an opening goal after only seven minutes. Trong Hoang rifled an unstoppable long-range shot past a stranded Moses to beat goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong, increasing his V.League 1-2021 tally to three.

After taking a pre-emptive blow, Hanoi FC started to deploy attacks and came close to equalising the score 10 minutes later; however, Nguyen Quang Hai’s cunning left-footed free-kick was denied by the post.

Players of Viettel FC and Hanoi FC in action during their match on Wednesday. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

Inspired by the early advantage, Viettel FC continued to show a depressing counterattacking style in the second half, posing constant threats to the opposite side. Hanoi FC could have slipped further behind but for goalie Bui Tan Truong’s hard work with smart saves of the attempts from Trong Hoang, Caique, Van Hao and Minh Tuan.

The last minutes of play saw both teams reduced to 10 men, as Hanoi FC’s Pham Duc Huy was shown a straight red card following his brutal foul on Viettel’s Nguyen Huu Thang, while Viettel’s Venancio Caique was sent off following his second yellow card.

Successfully defending the score until the final whistle, Truong Viet Hoang’s side bagged the full three points and extended their winning streak to three matches. This was also the first time in history that Viettel FC defeated Hanoi FC in an official clash.

Quang Ninh Coal (in blue) have climbed to the top of the table following their 1-0 win against Saigon FC. (Photo: VPF)

On the same day, Quang Ninh Coal finished off Saigon FC 1-0 at home, thanks to Pereira’s 63rd-minute penalty, to temporarily sit on top of the table with 18 points, two clear of Hoang Anh Gia Lai who have played one less game .

Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC were held to a 1-1 home draw by newly promoted Topenland Binh Dinh.

V.League 1-2021 will continue today (April 8) with the remaining four Round 8 matches, including Thanh Hoa FC vs Hai Phong FC, Becamex Binh Duong vs Nam Dinh FC, SHB Da Nang vs Hoang Anh Gia Lai, and Ho Chi Minh City vs Song Lam Nghe An.