V-League week eight: Bottom ACB.HN cancel out leaders

A late equaliser by Thanh Luong cancelled out leader Da Nang”s efforts, rescuing hosts ACB.HN from their fifth defeat. Despite a draw, Da Nang remain top of the league while ACB.HN continue to stay bottom.

Substitute Van Meo opened the scoring for Da Nang on 75 minutes, who were searching for their first victory at ACB.HN since 2002, but failed to due Thanh Luong”s leveller ten minutes later.

Elsewhere, in Nam Dinh, injury-and-suspension-hit Phu My Nam Dinh beat third-placed Khatoco Khanh Hoa 2-1 thanks to two goals by The Hieu and Harrison Eric Muranda. Jonathan Quartey pulled a goal back for Khatoco Khanh Hoa. 

Determined to upset leaders Da Nang, manager Hoang Van Phuc gambled, using a 3-4-3 formation as ACB.HN plunged into attacks. In the first 20 minutes, the hosts caused a lot of troubles to Da Nang”s defence.

Benitez Cristian Ramon wasted an opportunity to fire home into a 1-0 lead after eight minutes when he, unmarked in the box, produced a weak finish, which was saved comfortably by goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong.

Six minutes later, Ramon found Hai Nam”s path with a through ball, but Hai Nam shot over the bar.

Demoralised ACB.HN lost possession as Da Nang dominated the game with their pace and power. Quang Cuong set up 18-year-old Van Meo who cut the ACB.HN defence apart and found the net at the near post.

However, Da Nang were denied their first victory over ACB.HN by Thanh Luong, who showed fantastic tough intercepting Ramon”s back pass before finding the net. A fine goal helping ACB.HN return from hell.”

Da Nang have yet to beat ACB.HN in Hanoi since their 1-0 victory in 2002 over the former Hanoi Police.

ACB.HN: Viet Cuong, Danh Minh, Duc Tuan, Anh Dung, Mạnh Hung, Mạnh Dung, Cao Minh, Sesay, Moeller, Ramon, and Hai Nam; and

Da Nang: Duc Cuong, Hung Dung, Bernard Achaw, Quoc Thanh, Quang Cuong, The Phong, Thanh Thong, Rogerio, Hong Minh, Almeida and Minh Hai.

Elsewhere in Nam Dinh, Phu My Nam Dinh, despite difficulties due to injuries and suspensions, surprised their visitors Khatoco Khanh Hoa, who were third in the table with attacking them straight from the kick-off. 

Duc Duong, Trong Loc and Harrison Eric Muranda threatened on Khatoco Khanh Hoa”s defence. 

Muranda, who had not scored since he fired home a winner over Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Pleiku in week two, saw his 30 metre free kick hit the post after ten minutes.  

Six minutes later, Ajoku Obinna Darlinton“s quick finish after Duc Duong”s corner kick beat goalkeeper Duc Hung, but went wide.

The visitors had the first opportunity after 19 minutes, Jonathan Quartey showing a good control after Nouhoum Moutawakil”s pass but shot directly at goalkeeper Quang Huy.

The Hieu”s header from close range after Trong Loc”s corner kick helped the hosts break the deadlock on 25 minutes.

Moutawakil came closest to equalising in the second half, heading against the cross bar.

Six minutes into the second half, Manh Tu set up Trong Loc with a good cross but Trong Loc blasted over.

Muranda, whose first free kick was denied by the woodwork, found the net at the second attempt with a 25 metre freekick.

Phu My Nam Dinh continued to dominate the game but Khatoco Khanh Hoa pulled back a goal through Quartey”s effort. Quartey, set up by Tan Tai, struck the ball home, beating goalkeeper Quang Huy.

The home side created some more chances but Trong Loc, Muranda and Ngoc Linh failed to find the net.

Phu My Nam Dinh: Quang Huy, Van Bien, Ngọc Lung, Trong Loc, Manh Tu, Van Nhien, The Hieu, Xuan Phu, Duc Duong, Harrison, and Darlinton.

Khatoco Khanh Hoa: Duc Hung, Ngoc Dieu, Duy Nam, Thien Hao, Huu Chuong, Tan Tai, Van Phong, Trong Binh, Nouhoum, Mustapha Essuman and Jonathan.

In Pleiku, newcomers Halida Thanh Hoa continued their impressive run, forcing Hoang Anh Gia Lai to sweat to earn a point.

They took the lead twice before Hoang Anh Gia Lai clawed back a point form the game. Thanh Tung and Xuan Hop scored for Halida Thanh Hoa while Sakda Joemdee and Minh Nghia struck twice to help the former champions avoid a third home defeat.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who have been struggling at home, having lost to Phu My Nam Dinh and  Khatoco Khanh Hoa, risked of going down at home for the third time after Thanh Tung headed Halida Thanh Hoa”s opener on 23 minutes.

Thai midfielder Joemdee levelled the score four minutes before half-time. He found the net from outside the box, after being set up by his teammate Datsakorn Thonglao. 

After the break, Hoang Anh Gia Lai brought Minh Nghia on for Dinh Viet but they failed to create any clear chances.

Xuan Hop”s freekick on 68 minutes helped Halida Thanh Hoa restore a one goal lead.

Wandwasi Rodgers came close to scoring for Halida Thanh Hoa but his finish was cleared off the line by fullback Anh Tuan.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai fought back hard and their efforts were paid off with Minh Nghia struck home an equaliser with a close range header.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai: Quoc Viet, Anh Tuan, Gia Hoang, Sakda, Thonglao,  Duy Quang, A Huynh, 15 – Viet Anh, Ngoc Canh, Dinh Viet, and Douhou

Halida Thanh Hoa: Mykola, Huu Thang, Kizico Lawrence, Xuan Hop, Hoang Dam, Rodgers, Trong Hai, Thanh Dung, Tien Thanh, Thanh Tung, and Van Thanh.

V-League, April 22

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