Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club and Dinh Huong Phu Nhuan Club have earned promotion to the National First Division for the 2024/25 season.
On the afternoon of June 17th, at Ha Tinh Stadium, two exciting matches took place in the National Second Division Football Championship 2024. As a result, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club and Dinh Huong Phu Nhuan Club secured promotion by defeating Bac Ninh Club and Kon Tum Club respectively, and also claimed the runners-up title of the tournament. Attending to watch the matches and present awards to the outstanding teams at the National Second Division Championship 2024 were Mr. Nguyen Trung Kien, Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF); Mr. Tran Huy Duc and Mr. Tran Van Quynh, Members of the VFF Executive Committee; Mr. Nguyen Minh Chau, Deputy Secretary General of VFF and Chairperson of the Organizer of the tournament; Mr. Nguyen Viet Truong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Tinh province; Mr. Tran Quang Thuong, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) Company; and Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Chairman of The World Group.
18/06/2024 16:57:40
The match, held at 16:00, witnessed a dramatic showdown between Bac Ninh Club and Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club. Right from the start, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club approached the game with caution. Consequently, Bac Ninh took control of the game and created several dangerous scoring opportunities. This match featured VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and was officiated by V.League referee Nguyen Trung Kien, ensuring that every move on the field was closely monitored. Although Mr. Kien did not observe the moment when Do Merlo fell in the penalty area, the VAR team scrutinized the incident carefully and recommended that the main referee review it. Upon VAR review, referee Kien determined that Minh Quang had fouled Do Merlo, awarding a penalty kick to Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club. From the penalty spot, Hoang Phuong seized the opportunity and successfully put his team ahead 1-0.
Under pressure, Bac Ninh organized relentless attacks but struggled to convert them into goals. Do Merlo, a former top scorer in the V.League, remains highly effective at the age of 39. His presence in the second leg significantly contributed to Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club’s surge and their advantage in the promotion race.
Earning a penalty kick for his team, Do Merlo displayed his trademark prowess with his heading ability, a common sight in the V.League. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, from a cross on the right wing by his teammate, the Argentine player leapt high and headed in the second goal for Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club.
In the second half, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club played defensively to preserve their lead. Bac Ninh exerted relentless pressure in their attacking efforts. However, it wasn’t until the 82nd minute that the Quan Ho region team broke through. Referee Nguyen Trung Kien, with the assistance of VAR, determined a foul on a Bac Ninh player inside the penalty area. From the penalty spot, Hong Son scored to narrow the deficit to 1-2.
In a thrilling climax during the first minute of stoppage time in the second half, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club attempted to trap Trong Son offside, but unsuccessfully. Trong Son escaped down the left wing and fired a shot into the far corner, leveling the score at 2-2 and sending the match to a penalty shootout to determine the winner. In this nerve-wracking shootout, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club emerged victorious with a score of 3-1, thus securing their first-ever promotion to play in the National First Division for the 2024/25 season.
In the match held at 19:00 on the same day, Dinh Huong Phu Nhuan Club secured a 2-0 victory over Kon Tum Club. Given the importance of the match, both teams approached the first half cautiously, resulting in few clear-cut chances. However, in the second half, Dinh Huong Phu Nhuan showed better ability to control the tempo and scored two quick goals within six minutes. The first was a volley by Bui Van Hung in the 63rd minute, followed by a headed goal from Kha Tan Tai in the 68th minute. In the remaining time of the match, Kon Tum Club pushed forward and attempted to apply pressure on the opponent’s goal. However, the Central Highlands team’s strikers could not break through the well-organized defense of Dinh Huong Phu Nhuan, ultimately conceding the promotion spot to their opponents.
Nguyen Minh Chau, the Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, presented certificates to representatives of the sponsors who supported the National Second Division Football Championship 2024.
