V.League 1-2021 Matchweek 9

Quang Hai stars as Hanoi FC trounce Quang Ninh Coal in V.League 1

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai contributed a goal and an assist as former champions Hanoi FC thrashed Quang Ninh Coal 4-0 at home on April 11 to put an end to their three-game winless run in V.League 1.

Monday, April 12, 2021 03:22

Hanoi FC players celebrate scoring a goal during their match with Quang Ninh Coal on April 11. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

The emphatic win brought Hoang Van Phuc’s side up to fifth place in the table with 13 points and has helped them regain confidence ahead of their April 18 away match against title frontrunners Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL).

Hanoi FC only needed 45 minutes to finish off the clash as all four of their goals were scored before the break.

They went ahead after just two minutes in action with Ngan Van Dai blasting a brilliant back-header thanks to Quang Hai’s assist from a free-kick situation.

Quang Hai beat goalkeeper Hoai Anh in a one-on-one to double the hosts’ advantage in the 18^th minute before Van Xuan continued to rub salt in Quang Ninh’s wounds by adding another goal six minutes later.

Quang Hai contributes a goal and one assist in Hanoi's commanding victory. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

Geovane completed a dominant first half for the capital’s team with an injury-time shot into an empty net, thus gifting them an unassailable lead into halftime.

Hanoi FC entered the second half with great comfort, while their opponents seemed to accept the fate of failure. Quang Ninh manager Hoang Tho even decided to withdraw some key pillars to keep them fit for upcoming matches.

Both sides managed to create a number of scoring opportunities with time running out; however, none of them were successfully converted.

Bagging the full three points, Hanoi FC have been partly relieved of the pressure following three winless games in a row (one draw and two defeats).

Viettel FC (in white) are keeping their title defence campaign on the right track. (Photo: VPF)

Meanwhile, Quang Ninh Coal have been beaten into third place by title holders Viettel FC, who edged past newbies Topenland Binh Dinh 1-0 on the same day thanks to an eye-catching left-footed freekick by Nguyen Hoang Duc in the 72^nd minute.

Saigon FC have moved out of bottom place following their much-needed 1-0 home victory against Hong Linh Ha Tinh on the same day.

V.League 1-2021 will continue today with the four remaining matches of Round 9: leaders Hoang Anh Gia Lai vs Nam Dinh FC, Thanh Hoa FC vs Ho Chi Minh City FC, Song Lam Nghe An vs Becamex Binh Duong, and Hai Phong FC vs SHB Da Nang.