Five highlights of V-League 1 2016 Round 1
The first round of the 2016 V-League 1 took place with no shortage of surprises. Here are five notable highlights in the opening round of the new season.
Van Thanh (in white) makes a strong impression in Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s 5-0 victory over hosts Hanoi (in pink).
1. Hosts and guests prove strength
Last weekend witnessed two sides of the home and away teams. On Saturday, all three teams played at home. FLC Thanh Hoa, SHB Da Nang and Becamex Binh Duong earned three points against the visitors Hanoi T&T, Dong Thap and XSKT Can Tho, respectively, but on Sunday, three out of four hosts (excluding Long An) suffered losses.
At Hang Day Stadium, rookies Hanoi FC were defeated 0-5 to Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), while hosts Quang Ninh Coal and Song Lam Nghe An lost to Sanna Khanh Hoa and Hai Phong. Long An was the only home team to win a Sunday match with a 1-0 victory against QNK Quang Nam.
2. Hoang Anh Gia Lai: Van Thanh shines
Gia Lai was temporarily rid of the absence of key players in the new season such as Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, and Xuan Truong as the team demolished newcomers Hanoi FC 5-0. The most impressive player was Van Thanh. The versatile midfielder created a masterpiece in the 72rd minute, opening up a rain of goals taking place in just 16 minutes. Van Thanh also impressed with another goal and an assist leading to the final goal by Van Toan.
3. The round of doubles and beautiful goals
There were 19 goals scored in the first round of 2016 V-League. In particular four players scored twice: Gaston Merlo (SHB Da Nang), Pape Omar (FLC Thanh Hoa), Xuan Hung (Hai Phong) and Van Thanh (HAGL).
A lot of beautiful goals were also recorded. Notably, Hoang Dinh Tung of FLC Thanh Hoa drew an orbital arc before netting the ball in the goal’s top corner with goalkeeper Tran Anh Duc from Hanoi T&T. In a similar shot, Van Thanh painted a beautiful curve to hit Hanoi FC’s net.
4. Important role of foreign players
Foreign players with impressive form contributed greatly to help their teams win three points. Rookie Ivan Firer of FLC Thanh Hoa brought the home side two penalties while playing Hanoi T&T, enabling captain Pape Omar to score twice. Remarkably, the success on the 11 metre spot shortly after two minutes of playing by Omar became the first goal in this year’s V-League season.
A double from Gaston Merlo in the 7th and 21st minutes help SHB Da Nang defeat Dong Thap. Another rookie, Chaher Zarour, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute in a 2-1 win in favour of Sanna Khanh Hoa over Quang Ninh Coal.
5. Candidates for the championship title prove their strength
Despite HAGL earning the biggest win in Round 1, the two candidates for the championship title, Becamex Binh Duong and FLC Thanh Hoa, showed remarkable strength in their opening matches. At Go Dau Stadium, defending champions Binh Duong beat XSKT Can Tho by a solid 2-0.
More impressively, big contracts have helped FLC Thanh Hoa significantly strengthen their squad in this season. The 3-0 victory over the reigning national runners-up Hanoi T&T has shown the potential and ambition for the crown by Thanh Hoa.
