Ho Chi Minh City FC lost at Thong Nhat Stadium.

Ho Chi Minh City FC lost 0-1 to Hong Linh Ha Tinh at Thong Nhat Stadium despite wanting to win to celebrate the April 30th holiday.

Ho Chi Minh City FC (left) was helpless against Viktor Le and Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC - Photo: NK

On the evening of April 25th, Ho Chi Minh City FC will host Hong Linh Ha Tinh in Round 20 of the V-League 2024-2025 at Thong Nhat Stadium. Coach Phung Thanh Phuong is eager to lead Ho Chi Minh City FC to victory in order to secure their place in the league and also to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country.

But there's a big difference between what you hope for and what you realize. Ho Chi Minh City FC didn't create many dangerous opportunities in the first half. The most notable moment for the home team was Quoc Cuong's shot that went wide of the post in the 36th minute.

In the second half, Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC unexpectedly scored a rather lucky goal in the 55th minute. On the left wing, the Vietnamese-Russian striker Viktor Le delivered a low, curved cross into the box that wasn't dangerous, but goalkeeper Manh Cuong was startled and let the ball into the net.

This was Viktor Le's second goal in the V-League 2024-2025, an impressive performance that not only secured the 22-year-old's place in the SEA Games 33 in Thailand later this year, but could also earn him a call-up to the Vietnamese national team by coach Kim Sang Sik for the match against Malaysia in the final qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup on June 10th.

Hong Linh Ha Tinh players hug and congratulate Viktor Le after his goal - Photo: NK

The conceded goal forced Ho Chi Minh City FC to attack more in search of an equalizer. However, coach Phung Thanh Phuong's strikers proved helpless against the well-organized defense of Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC, the most difficult team to beat in the V-League, having lost only one match since the beginning of the season.

Even when presented with opportunities, the Ho Chi Minh City FC strikers failed to capitalize. For example, in the 64th minute, Joao Pedro, alone in front of goal, missed the ball after a very good cross from Adriano Schmidt.

In the 77th minute, it was Quoc Cuong's turn to curl a left-footed shot, sending the ball just over the crossbar.

Having missed numerous scoring opportunities, Ho Chi Minh City FC nearly conceded a second goal in the 82nd minute due to a defensive error.

After stealing the ball from center-back Adriano Schmidt, striker Mbo Noel broke through to face goalkeeper Mạnh Cường, but his shot hit the goalkeeper's face and bounced away.

Losing 0-1, Ho Chi Minh City FC is back to facing relegation worries. Meanwhile, Hong Linh Ha Tinh FC temporarily moved up to 4th place with 31 points, giving them hope of finishing in the top 3.

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NGUYEN KHOI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/clb-tp-hcm-thua-บน-san-thong-nhat-20250425215727204.htm