With home field advantage and excitement from the debut ceremony of new player Nguyen Quang Hai, Hanoi Police FC confidently entered the match against Hong Linh Ha Tinh. The rain made the field slippery and wet, which greatly affected the playing style of both teams.

Quang Hai introduced to Hanoi Police FC fans. Photo: NGOC BICH

After many missed opportunities, in the 45+2 minute, Hanoi Police FC finally scored the opening goal. From a cross from the home team into the Ha Tinh penalty area, John Cley headed the ball back, causing Paulo Pinto to use his hand to block the ball and referee Mai Xuan Hung immediately blew the penalty. At the 11m mark, John Cley accurately scored the opening goal for Hanoi Police FC.

In the second half, Hanoi Police FC still dominated the game. In the 61st minute, player John Cley made a dangerous pass, the ball hit the Hong Linh Ha Tinh goalkeeper's hand and went into the net, surprising the fans. On the rise, just 3 minutes later, Hanoi Police FC scored a goal to raise the score to 3-0. Vu Van Thanh crossed the ball very conveniently from the right wing into the penalty area, new player Raphael Succes headed it powerfully into the Hong Linh Ha Tinh net.

The match between Cong An Ha Noi FC and Hong Linh Ha Tinh was exciting. Photo: NGOC BICH

In the 75th minute, from a sharp attack, Van Thanh passed the ball delicately for John Cley to run down and comfortably finish, defeating goalkeeper Quang Tuan, helping Cong An Ha Noi FC lead 4-0. This was John Cley's hat-trick in this match and his 9th goal at Night Wolf V-League 2023. In the remaining minutes, Hong Linh Ha Tinh played with determination and scored a goal to reduce the score to 1-4 in the 84th minute. From a corner kick, player Janclesio jumped high and headed the ball powerfully into Cong An Ha Noi FC's net. Not stopping there, in the 90+3 minute, taking advantage of a moment of subjectivity from Cong An Ha Noi FC's defenders, Diallo Abdoulaye scored to help Hong Linh Ha Tinh reduce the score to 2-4.

In the end, Hanoi Police FC defeated Hong Linh Ha Tinh 4-2 to take the lead of Night Wolf V-League 2023 with 24 points, 1 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