V-League round 7: HPHN go top after thrilling victory

A late winner by Williams from a second spot kick in stoppage time helped Hoa Phat Hanoi beat Southern Steel Saigon Port in a 4-3 thrilling victory, thus going top of the national championship/V-League for the first time. Else where in Nam Dinh, last week”s leaders PISICO Binh Dinh suffered their first defeat of the season to hosts Midako Nam Dinh.

It has been a while since supporters in Hanoi have experienced a seven goal thriller. Despite wet and cold weather, 7,000 spectators, mainly Hoa Phat Hanoi”s fans, went to the Hang Day stadium to watch their teams play against Southern Steel Saigon Port. It was worth their effect as the match had many breathtaking moments. Good morale after two victories over Hoang Anh Gia Lai, and Midako Nam Dinh in the previous rounds and great support from home fans helped the hosts gain a crucial victory.

Even though captain Nhu Thuan is fully recovered, coach Vuong Tien Dung rested him on bench, and lined up Antonio to replace him. In the forward line Williams partnered Andre Luiz. The hosts started the game with great confidence. They could have opened the scoring if Williams had not been denied by the woodwork. Minutes later, Dinh Quy”s shot in the penalty box was centimetres wide. The hosts wasted a good opportunity in the 20th minute. Andre Luiz and Williams combined to set up Antonio but the midfielder”s shot from a close range failed to find the net.

Two minutes after Antonio”s missed opportunity, the visitors scored a surprise opener. Ngu Chi Thang”s freekick found the net when the hosts” goalkeeper and defenders paid much attention to striker Eledilno.

After going 1-0 down, Hoa Phat Hanoi continued to dominated the game. However, they have to wait until 44th minute. After Antonio was fouled in the box,  Williams made no mistake with his spot kick.

One minute later, Le Van Luu who replaced Nhu Thuan to take the captain armband, chested down the cleared header of a visiting defender before having a wonderful strike from outside the penalty box, putting the hosts in front. 

In the second half, the two sides started a score chasing. In the 65th minute, Elenildo levelled the score. However, minutes later, captain Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Chuong cancelled out his teammate”s effort with an own goal. 

Southern Steel Saigon Port exerted their efforts to seek an equaliser. In the 71st minute, Helio Assis levelled the score.

In the stoppage time goalkeeper Cong Vuong fouled Antonio and the referee pointed to the spot. Williams scored his second goal from the spot, sealing a 4-3 victory for the hosts.

Talking after the match, coach Vuong Tien Dung said that he was satisfied with his men, who deserved to win in the match.

After the victory, Hoa Phat Hanoi occupied top spot of the table for the first time this season. They level on points with Binh Dinh but lead on goal difference.

In Nam Dinh, last week”s leaders PISICO Binh Dinh set a new record with 569 minutes without conceding a goal, breaking the previous record of 565 minutes of champions Dong Tam Long An before conceding their first league defeat. Hosts Midako Nam Dinh, who gained only one point in their three home games, started the game with great determination. In the eight minute, Thai striker Ekephan found the woodwork with a powerful strike from outside the penalty box. In the 29th minute, Ekephan found the net after a good effort by Phung Van Nhien, sealing the first home victory for Midako Nam Dinh. After the defeat, Binh Dinh dropped to second spot in the table.

Binh Duong, who signed coach Le Thuy Hai to replace coach Doan Minh Xuong, continued their disappointing run with a 2-1 defeat to PJICO Song Lam Nghe An. In the sixth minute, striker Santos finished off Van Vinh”s cross, opening the scoring. In the second half, Toledo levelled the score with a spot kick after Santos”s hand ball. However, striker Le Cong Vinh cut the visitors” defence, heading the winner for the hosts in the 70th minute.

Another initial candidate for the league title, Hoang Anh Gia Lai had a disappointing draw with Tien Giang at home. The former champions wasted many opportunities in the match. Their clear opportunity was wasted by last year”s top scorer Kesley Alves, who was unable to find the net from the spot in the 70th minute.

Defending champions Dong Tam Long An, who won their first victory one week ago, suffered a 1-0 defeat to high-flying LG.HN.ACB at home. In a counter attack in the 14th minute, Mbabazi seized the ball from a back pass by Cong Hoang and ghosted past the home side”s goalkeeper Santos before finding the net. In the 55th minute, substitute striker Mauricio Luis had a good opportunity after running past goalkeeper Santos but but his attempt was cleared by the hosts” defenders. After the victory, LG.HN.ACB moved to third place in the table.

In another match, Da Nang shared points with their hosts Mitsustar Haier Haiphong after a 2-2 draw, despite their 2-0 lead with goals by Samuel in the 35th minute and Hong Minh in the 47th minute. Van Thanh and Julien scored for the hosts in the 61st and 73rd minutes, respectively.