HAGL nearly lost to Thanh Hoa after a comeback defeat.

Thanks to a late goal from substitute player Dinh Thanh Binh, HAGL was able to draw 2-2 against Thanh Hoa in round 8 of V-League 2023, on the afternoon of May 19th.

Thanh Hoa are flying high this season, with an unbeaten record and leading the table after seven rounds. But the break for the SEA Games 32 seems to have disrupted their momentum.

At Pleiku Stadium, Thanh Hoa's team started poorly against the home side HAGL. Although they improved in the second half, coach Popov's team failed to achieve their goal of securing three points. They still hold the top spot in the league table, four points ahead of Hanoi , but having played one more game.

In contrast, HAGL quickly found their rhythm. Their players moved the ball smoothly and created many opportunities. In the 5th minute, Paollo broke the offside trap and took a shot, but defender Dinh Tien Thanh made a diving save. A few minutes later, Paollo again broke down the left wing, beat goalkeeper Xuan Hoang, but his shot lacked accuracy.

Tuan Anh and HAGL (in black) have yet to win at Pleiku Stadium in the V-League 2023. Photo: Minh Tran

Under pressure from HAGL, Thanh Hoa's defense showed weaknesses. In the 23rd minute, Tien Thanh made a misplaced pass, allowing Paollo to intercept and pass the ball to Tran Minh Vuong, who had just returned from injury. From outside the penalty area, the HAGL midfielder shot into the far corner, and although goalkeeper Xuan Hoang got a touch, he couldn't prevent the home team from scoring.

About 10 minutes later, Minh Vương nearly scored another goal from a long pass by Bảo Toàn. The number 8 midfielder controlled the ball with his chest inside the penalty area but shot straight at goalkeeper Xuân Hoàng. Towards the end of the first half, the visiting team's central defender Minh Tùng nearly scored an own goal from a pass by Bảo Toàn.

In the second half, coach Popov brought on striker Lam Ti Phong and midfielder Nguyen Thai Son. The visiting team took risks by pushing forward, but nearly conceded another goal in the 55th minute. Brandao took a quick shot inside the penalty area from a corner kick, but it went wide of the post. Minh Vuong then had a chance, but his shot went over the crossbar.

HAGL nearly lost to Thanh Hoa after a comeback defeat.

Key events of the HAGL - Thanh Hoa match on May 19th.

Having missed two opportunities, HAGL quickly paid the price. Midfielder Thai Son, returning from the SEA Games 32, passed to Paulo Conrado inside the penalty area. The visiting team's foreign player held off defender Diakite and shot into the near corner. Goalkeeper Huynh Tuan Linh closed the angle but could not prevent the equalizer, making the score 1-1.

The visiting team regained their composure and played coherently. HAGL sometimes had to drop deep to defend and counter-attack, but without success. In the 77th minute, Lam Ti Phong successfully won the ball from Diakite and passed it to Bruno Cunha, who broke free and shot directly. Goalkeeper Tuan Linh dived and touched the ball, but could not prevent Thanh Hoa from scoring their second goal.

Dinh Thanh Binh took off his shirt to celebrate after scoring the goal that helped HAGL avoid defeat against Thanh Hoa on the afternoon of May 19th. Photo: T. Hai

With nothing left to lose, coach Kiatisuk brought on forwards Nguyen Quoc Viet and Dinh Thanh Binh. And Thanh Binh immediately made his mark. He received a pass from Le Van Son and unleashed a powerful one-touch shot that hit the crossbar and rolled into the net.

In the 90th minute, Thanh Hoa scored their third goal against HAGL, but the referee disallowed it, ruling that Lam Ti Phong was offside. The 2-2 draw means HAGL remains winless at home this season.

In Round 9, HAGL will play away against Da Nang while Thanh Hoa will host Viettel at home.

Duc Dong

Source link: https://vnexpress.net/hagl-suyt-thua-nguoc-thanh-hoa-4607442.html