>>> Viettel, Saigon FC get off to good start as V.League resumes
>>> V.League 1’s phase 2 promises fierce and unpredictable races
Captain Nguyen Van Quyet and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai were the two scorers as Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side bagged the victory and moved three points clear of their opponents.
The first half saw a medium pace, with both teams producing retaliatory attacks but failing to convert any of them into a goal.
In the second half, Hanoi FC suddenly sped up to force HCMC on the backfoot. The match’s turning point came eight minutes after the hour mark as Quang Hai was fouled by Diakite in the box, earning the hosts a penalty.
From the spot, Hanoi skipper Van Quyet easily beat the HCMC goalkeeper to put his team in front.
Hanoi FC's defender Nguyen Thanh Chung in action during the match. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
Chung Hae-seong’s side then strengthened their offence, seeking to equalise the score; however, they could not break through Hanoi’s solid defence.
With a few minutes left to play, Quang Hai put an end to the visitors’ hopes of resurgence by shooting past goalie Thanh Thang to seal a 2-0 victory for the capital.
Quang Ninh Coal thrashed Becamex Binh Duong by three goals on the same day to remain third in Group A (title race) with 24 points, three adrift of leaders Saigon FC and just one ahead of Hanoi.
In Group B (the relegation division), SHB Da Nang moved very close to safeguarding their V.League berth after edging out Hai Phong FC 1-0 at home, while Thanh Hoa FC and Nam Dinh FC played out a 1-1 draw.
The first matchday of V.League 1’s second phase will wrap up today (October 11) with a Group B clash between Song Lam Nghe An and Quang Nam FC.
