VietNamNet Bridge – Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) lost to bottom-ranked team Long An 1-2 on their home soil in the 18th round of the national premier league yesterday. Long An opened their account thanks to HAGL’s Marcelino Motta Henrique, who scored an own goal in the ninth minute. Although goalkeeper To Vinh Loi leapt to prevent it, he was unable to save the goal.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Long An’s players seen in the national premier league yesterday. — Photo zing.vn

In the 53rd minute, Wander Luiz Queiroz doubled the score to 2-0 for Long An.

HAGL attacked constantly to seek goals, and in the 60th minute, Tran Minh Vuong narrowed the gap to 1-2.

In the other matches played yesterday, Quang Nam beat Thanh Hoa 3-2, Song Lam Nghe An crushed Da Nang 1-0, and Sai Gon was tied in a goalless draw with Quang Ninh Coal.

On Saturday, defending champions Ha Noi FC lost to former champions Becamex Binh Duong 0-2.

The capital team were confident visitors to the Go Dau Stadium in the southern province of Binh Duong. They played in an attacking style with the best line up; however, they received their first jolt in the ninth minute of the first half.

As usual, hosts Binh Duong played in a defence-attack style, waiting for their rivals to display some weakness to clear the deadlock.

In the ninth minute, with a simple attack, Pereira Junior opened the score 1-0 for the hosts.

Ha Noi attacked repeatedly to seek goals, but they couldn’t break the defence line of the hosts.

In the 19th minute, Nguyen Thanh Chung of Ha Noi fouled Nguyen Tien Linh of Binh Duong in the penalty area, which earned Chung a red card.

In the 45th minute, taking full advantage of defender Nguyen Van Dung’s mistake, Linh doubled the score for Binh Duong.

After the break, the two team changed their players. However, having to play with only 10 players affected Ha Noi players mentally and even their tactics.

In the last minutes of the match, Hoàng Vũ Samson scored a goal to narrow the gap of 1-2, but the referee didn’t recognise it, as Samson was in an offside position.

“Today, Ha Noi suffered from many disadvantages. The rainy weather affected our style of play. Moreover, we played with only 10 people since the first half. These things led to our loss,” said coach Chu Dinh Nghiem of Ha Noi.

“In my opinion, the race to the event’s title is not only for FLC Thanh Hoa and our team. There are about five teams who can fight for this title. Surely, following this loss, Ha Noi must do many things,” Nghiem added.

Meanwhile, coach Tran Binh Su of Binh Duong was satisfied with his players’ performance.

“My team beat Hai Phong 2-0 in the last round. This win was a driving force for the team in the game today. Ha Noi are an archrival. So, I researched carefully their way of playing, especially of striker Nguyen Van Quyet, who has a great effect on his team,” said Su.

“If we had got the best out of the chances we had, we would have five goals, not two goals,” Su said with a smile.

In other matches, Sanna Khanh Hoa were defeated 1-3 by Hai Phong.

Can Tho came from behind to crush HCM City 2-1.

Victor Manuel Ormazabal helped HCM City take the lead in the ninth minute. Can Tho had two goals in the second half thanks to José Nsi Amougou and Nguyen Quang Tinh.

After 18 rounds, Thanh Hoa still top the rankings with 33 points, followed by Ha Noi and Quang Nam with 31 points.

VNS