With the home advantage and the boosted morale following the unveiling of new signing Nguyen Quang Hai, Hanoi Police FC entered the match against Hong Linh Ha Tinh with confidence. However, the rain made the pitch slippery and the ball wet, significantly affecting the playing style of both teams.

Quang Hai makes his debut for Hanoi Police FC fans. Photo: NGOC BICH

After several missed opportunities, in the 45+2 minute, Hanoi Police FC finally scored the opening goal. From a cross into the penalty area by the home team's player, John Cley headed the ball backward, causing Paulo Pinto to use his hand to block it, and referee Mai Xuan Hung immediately awarded a penalty. From the penalty spot, John Cley accurately converted the penalty to give Hanoi Police FC the lead.

In the second half, Hanoi Police FC continued to dominate the game. In the 61st minute, John Cley's dangerous shot hit the Hong Linh Ha Tinh goalkeeper's hand and went into the net, much to the surprise of the fans. Continuing their momentum, just three minutes later Hanoi Police FC scored to make it 3-0. Vu Van Thanh delivered a perfect cross from the right wing into the penalty area, and new signing Raphael Succes headed the ball powerfully into the Hong Linh Ha Tinh net.

The match between Hanoi Police FC and Hong Linh Ha Tinh was exciting. Photo: NGOC BICH

In the 75th minute, following a sharp attack, Van Thanh made a delicate pass to John Cley, who comfortably finished past goalkeeper Quang Tuan, giving Hanoi Police FC a 4-0 lead. This was John Cley's hat-trick in the match and his 9th goal in the Night Wolf V-League 2023. In the remaining minutes, Hong Linh Ha Tinh played with determination and scored a goal to reduce the deficit to 1-4 in the 84th minute. From a corner kick, Janclesio rose high and powerfully headed the ball into the net of Hanoi Police FC. Not stopping there, in the 90+3 minute, taking advantage of a momentary lapse in concentration from the Hanoi Police FC defenders, Diallo Abdoulaye scored to reduce the deficit to 2-4.

In the end, Hanoi Police FC defeated Hong Linh Ha Tinh 4-2 to take the lead in the Night Wolf V-League 2023 with 24 points, one point more than Dong A Thanh Hoa. In the previous match, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh drew 0-0 with Dong A Thanh Hoa at Thien Truong Stadium. At Lach Tray Stadium, Hai Phong FC drew 0-0 with SHB Da Nang in a match where players from both teams wasted too many opportunities.

HOAI PHUONG