Football

HÀ NỘI — Quảng Ninh Coal defeated HCM City 2-0 in the second round of the V. League 1 in the northern province of Quảng Ninh on Friday.

Taking full advantage of playing on their home turf, Quảng Ninh played an attacking game from the first minutes of the match to hunt for early goals, while the visitors played a defence-attack game.

During the first half, Quảng Ninh encountered numerous difficulties in trying to break the HCM City defence but they could not score any goals.

In the 88th minute, after some confusion near the HCM City’s goal, Phạm Nguyên Sa opened the score for the hosts.

In the 90th minute, Bùi Văn Hiếu doubled the score for Quảng Ninh.

Although HCM City lost to Quảng Ninh, the club’s acting chairman Lê Công Vinh promised to award VNĐ200 million (US$8,700) to his team.

“We are not sad. Although we lost, we tried our best and played unitedly. We just lacked luck,” said former Việt Nam national team captain Vinh, who has retired from competition.

It is for the first time in the league’s history that a loser will still receive a bonus.

In another match, Hải Phòng came from behind to beat Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 2-1 at Pleiku Stadium.

In the 15th minute, from a penalty kick of Lê Đức Lương, Trần Hữu Đông Triều put his header past Hải Phòng’s goal keeper to open the score for the highland team Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

However, only eight minutes later, Hải Phòng levelled, thanks to Lê Văn Thắng’s goal.

After the break, the match became more interesting as the two teams attacked continuously to earn three points.

In the 78th minute, Doãn Ngọc Tân took the score to 2-1 in favour of Hải Phòng.

In other news, Quảng Nam crushed Hà Nội T&T 2-1, while Long An tied 1-1 with Bình Dương. — VNS