Football

Midfielder Châu Ngọc Quang of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai runs the ball away from Viettel players during their V.League 1 match on April 6. Hoàng Anh Gia Lai won 4-1. — Photos courtesy of VPF

HÀ NỘI — Hoàng Anh Gia Lai tasted their first V.League 1 victory this season after beating Viettel 4-1 on April 6 in Hà Nội.

The former champions had drawn their last four outings.

Châu Ngọc Quang, Trần Minh Vương, Nguyễn Quốc Việt and Paollo Madeira Oliveira scored for the visiting side, while captain Bùi Tiến Dũng netted for the host from a spot kick.

Coach Kiatisak Senamuang was surprised by the big win, although he was confident to take points from Viettel.

“I knew they were strong," Senamuang said at the post-match briefing. "They won 6-0 in the National Cup and beat Hà Nội Police 2-0 in the V.League 1 before our match. My players were asked to focus and defend well."

"We were a little confused when Viettel levelled 1-1, but in the second half, we set up our domination again and won.

“After six key players parted, it is time for young players to shine. The four-week rest recently was really good for us to restart our campaign after four draws in a row. My young players train and learn hard. Although we have many things to do, they are now more confident.

The national head coach Philippe Troussier was in the stands watching the game. The Frenchman will soon name his SEA Games squad, where Việt Nam will attempt to defend their regional title.

Nguyễn Quốc Việt cries after scoring his first goal in the V.League 1.

"Before the game, I invited Troussier to our match so my young players would be given opportunities to play. In our earlier meeting, he asked me how many young players in my team can play at the U23 level," said Senamuang, the Thai 'Zico'.

"After scoring and managing the game, I put some youngsters in so that Troussier can watch them and evaluate them. It is the way I support the U23 team and the national squad."

Speaking about his talented striker Việt, who made it 3-1 for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, Senamuang said he was a player with good technique and could play at both the U20 and U23 levels. As a coach, his job was to train him for the better, Senamuang added.

Việt netted after just four minutes after coming off the bench. The 20-year-old burst into tears after his first goal in the V.League 1.

He received a bonus of VNĐ50 million from the Nutifood JMG Football Academy, which trained him since he was a little boy. Việt was earlier known as the 'king of junior tournaments' as he was the top scorer at all local events in which he participated.

Coach Thạch Bảo Khanh of Viettel said the defeat was only an accident.

"It was not a shock result," said Khanh. "This was a good match of both sides with many threatening chances but Hoàng Anh Gia Lai could convert them into goals, and they won."

"It was unlucky that we wasted almost all our chances in a match that our two foreign strikers could not play. It was an accident only. We will forget it quickly and prepare for the next game again Đà Nẵng." — VNS