Football

Phạm Văn Sơn of PFV (left) runs a ball through Hoàng Anh Gia Lai's players during their Group A match of the National U21 Football Championship on August 6 in Hưng Yên Province. Photos of VFF

HƯNG YÊN — Hoàng Anh Gia Lai and PVF were the last teams to get through to the quarters of the National U21 Football Championship on August 6 in Hưng Yên Province.

Despite being a title favourite and on home turf, PFV could only find their next stage's place in the last group round match when they tied with Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 1-1.

After many attempts, Phạm Văn Sơn opened the score for PFV at the 39th minute, stealing a ball after a misunderstanding between goalkeeper and defender Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, sending it home.

But just five minutes later, Phạm Lý Đức managed a ball from teammate's smart pass and defeated keeper Phạm Huy Hoàng with a straight shot.

The draw held until the end of the match, although both two sides had threatening opportunities, the result enough to push both of them to the last-eight round.

In the other match of Group A, Thể Công Viettel, which ensured their berth after two wins, trounced HCM 4-1 to take maximum nine points from three matches.

Nguyễn Hữu Tuấn made a double at the 65th and 84th minutes while Nguyễn Thành Khanh and Nguyễn Thành Đạt took one each for the team of soldiers.

HCM City could only score only one goal at the 43rd minute, before they packed up and went home.

In Group B, no surprise was made between powerhouse Hà Nội and Đồng Tháp. The capital city's team won 2-1 with an own goal by Đồng Tháp's defender Võ Quốc Trung at the 17th minute and Nguyễn Anh Tú's finish 17 minutes later.

Hà Nội players celebrate after scoring a goal in their 2-1 win over Đồng Tháp in Group B.

Đồng Tháp narrowed the score two minutes after the break and that was all they could do.

Earlier, Lâm Đồng secured their first point at the tournament with a 2-2 draw with SHB Đà Nẵng. But it was also the last point as they were then disqualified while Đà Nẵng as second-placed team joined Hà Nội to step into the quarters.

In Group C, Long An needed a win to go on but they could not break Quảng Nam's strong defence, so said goodbye to the tournament.

In the other match, Đông Á Thanh Hóa defeated Bình Phước 6-2 to top the table.

The quarter-finals will be on August 8. Thể Công will play Quảng Nam while Hà Nội will see Hoàng Anh Gia Lai at the Thanh Trì Stadium in Hà Nội. PVF will host SHB Đà Nẵng and Đồng Tháp will meet Thanh Hóa at the PFV ground. VNS