HAGL won the second consecutive match in V-League

Gia Lai: Two assists from Tran Minh Vuong helped HAGL defeat Ho Chi Minh City FC 2-1 in Round 13 of the V-League 2023-2024.

The 2-1 victory against Thanh Hoa in round 12 seemed to boost HAGL's confidence, helping them escape the bottom of the table. Returning to their home ground in Pleiku on the afternoon of March 9th, they started the match with enthusiasm against Ho Chi Minh City FC, a team with inconsistent form, having won two and drawn two games since the beginning of 2024. The match also attracted attention as HAGL's owner, Doan Nguyen Duc, and coach Park Hang-seo were both present to watch.

In the 9th minute, Chau Ngoc Quang had the first opportunity, with a quick feint from the 16.5-meter line before unleashing a curling left-footed shot that went wide of the left post. In the 19th minute, HAGL were awarded a free kick on the left wing, Tran Minh Vuong lofted the ball into the far corner, allowing Dung Quang Nho to tap it in from close range to open the scoring.

Tran Minh Vuong (left) celebrates his second goal with Chau Ngoc Quang. Photo: Minh Tran. — Tran Minh Vuong (left) celebrates his second goal with Chau Ngoc Quang. Photo: *Minh Tran.*

The home team had another chance in the 23rd minute, but Joao Veras was slow to react to his shot inside the penalty area, allowing a TP HCM defender to pounce and block it. Three minutes later, with another central attack, Minh Vương played a through pass to Châu Ngọc Quang, who burst into the penalty area on the left and fired a low, angled left-footed shot past Patrik Le Giang for the second time.

In their excitement, HAGL's defense became careless, allowing Ho Chi Minh City FC to score a goal to reduce the deficit in the 28th minute. Ngo Tung Quoc launched a long ball from his own half to Cheick Timite, who received it in the penalty area and volleyed it diagonally into the net. Although Bui Tien Dung got a hand on the ball, he couldn't stop it.

HAGL reorganized their formation and played more defensively in the following minutes. Ho Chi Minh City FC had to push forward, creating opportunities for the home team to counter-attack, but Joao Veras and Chau Ngoc Quang missed chances. In the 72nd minute, Quang used his chest to pass the ball in the midfield to Minh Vuong. The midfielder, born in 1995, skillfully dribbled past two Ho Chi Minh City FC players, then past Patrik, but his slow shot allowed the opposing goalkeeper to retreat and make the save.

Ho Chi Minh City FC made a late surge when coach Phung Thanh Phuong brought on striker Ho Tuan Tai. They nearly succeeded. In the 90th minute, Vo Huy Toan delivered a cross from a free kick on the right wing, and Tuan Tai headed the ball past Jairo Filho but hit the crossbar. That was their last dangerous chance, securing a 2-1 victory for HAGL.

Winning two consecutive matches and extending their unbeaten run to four games gave HAGL 13 points, solidifying their 12th position. They are now three and five points ahead of The Cong and Khanh Hoa respectively. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City FC remains in seventh place with 18 points.

Starting lineup

HAGL: Bui Tien Dung, Le Van Son, Jairo Filho, Dung Quang Nho, Tran Bao Toan, Vo Dinh Lam, Tran Thanh Son, Chau Ngoc Quang, Tran Minh Vuong, Gabriel Dias, Joao Veras

Ho Chi Minh City FC: Patrik Le Giang, Ngo Tung Quoc, Thanh Thao, Minh Tung, Vo Huy Toan, Lucas Brendon, Sam Ngoc Duc, Thanh Khoi, Bui Ngoc Long, Cheick Timite, Wander Luiz.

Mid-Autumn Festival

Source link