VietNamNet Bridge – Hoang Anh Gia Lai was denied a V. League win against Sanna Khanh Hoa after a referee awarded a controversial penalty to the latter in the dying moments yesterday.

Striker Nguyen Van Toan of Hoang Anh Gia Lai (left) vies for a ball against Sanna Khanh Hoa’s players during their V.League match on Sunday. The match end 1-1. — Photo baomoi.com

Referee Nguyen Van Kien decided a spot kick for the hosts when Zarour Chaher fell to the ground as he jumped up to receive a pass from Youssouf Toure from the right wing. He was supervised by defender A Hoang of the visiting side.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai aggressively rejected Kien’s decision but he did not change his mind.

Tran Van Vu did not miss his chance, levelling the score for Khanh Hoa.

Earlier, captain Luong Xuan Truong opened the score with a free kick that hit the pole before entering the net in the 71st minute.

It was his third goal and all three were from free kicks.

With one point, Khanh Hoa step up to the third place in the ranking with 12 points. They are behind Ha Noi FC and Quang Ninh Coal.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai are at ninth place.

Leaders Hanoi maintained the unbeaten run after coming from behind to beat HCM City 4-1 in the latest match of the seventh round at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

Nguyen Hai Anh opened the score in the 23rd minute, giving hope to the hosts whose President Nguyen Cong Vinh resigned last week.

However, it was all they could do after former champions Hanoi fought back with all three goals scored in the second half.

Captain Nguyen Van Quyet levelled nearly 20 minutes after the interval. Do Hung Dung made it 2-1 just two minutes before the end and Oseni Ganiyu Bolaji added the third in the last second.

Hanoi pocketed 17 points, three more than their nearest rivals Quang Ninh who played with 10 men in a 1-1 draw against Can Tho.

Defending champions Quang Nam suffered their third defeat, second in a row of the season, losing 1-3 to three-time winner Becamex Binh Duong on Saturday.

With three points, Binh Duong entered the top four, their best position since last year.

Quang Nam, meanwhile, fell to the lower part of the ranking.

Hai Phong finally tasted victory beating SHB Da Nang 3-2 after three matches that they lost and drew. It has been a long time ago since beat this arch-rival in all local competitions.

Errol Anthony Stevens and Nguyen Dinh Bao pushed the hosts ahead in the first 30 minutes of the match.

Vo Huy Toan and Ha Duc Chinh restored the balance in the game in the second half.

When everyone was thinking of a draw, Andre Diego Fagan was not. He passed a perfect pass to Doan Ngoc Tan who ran into the box and finished correctly to seal the win for the hosts.

Coach Truong Viet Hoang could not keep calm after the goal. He jumped up and hugged all of the coaching board members.

“I always keep calm in every situation. But Tan’s goal was extremely different. It relieved all the pressure that we had been suffering from after three winless games,” Hoang said.

He added that the win would make the whole team believe in their change of playing style from long balls to short balls in group combinations.

On the other side, coach Nguyen Minh Phuong showed his sadness at the post-match briefing.

“We work hard but could not have a positive result. It might be due to the lack of understanding between young and veteran players,” Phuong said, adding that some players he hoped would perform did not reach their peak.

“Da Nang are still searching for a change but we have not found a good solution,” he said.

In another match, Nguyen Duc Thang has been in charge of FLC Thanh Hoa for three days before taking part in the first match at the V. League this season. He secured a 1-1 draw against his former club Sai Gon FC.

He said his team played well although there were a few things that needed fixing. Thanh Hoa must do better in the coming match and players had to take their chances.

Coach Phan Van Tai Em expressed regrets about the draw, saying that Sai Gon needed a little luck to win the game. However, being one point from an away ground was okay.

Nam Dinh pocketed their first win this year after beating former champions Song Lam Nghe An 1-0.

It was goalkeeper Quoc Thien Esele’s day as he denied all Song Lam Nghe An’s finishes while Le Sy Minh scored the only goal at the 52nd minute.

The win did not help Nam Dinh escape from the bottom of the ranking but was a strong push for the whole team.

“It is really a surprise because we just targeted one point from this game. My players did better than expectation. I am crying because I am happy. Let me thank my players for their great effort today,” coach Nguyen Van Sy said.

“The win will take a load of our mind. It will help us a lot to play in the coming matches. We know that a long and tough route awaits us.”

Source: VNS