Football

HÀ NỘI — Defending champions Quảng Nam beat the runners-up Thanh Hóa 1-0 in the third round of the V.League 1 on March 22.

The match was held at Tam Kỳ Stadium in the central province of Quảng Nam.

Phan Thanh Hưng scored the only goal for Quảng Nam in the 12th minute to help his team win the game.

In the two previous rounds, Quảng Nam had an unexpected start. They tied 1-1 with Sài Gòn FC and lost to SHB Đà Nẵng 1-2. While Thanh Hóa have played only one match in the second round of the national premier league as they have been busy competing at the ongoing AFC Cup 2018, they beat HCM City 1-0.

So Quảng Nam needed a win to regain their form. They played counter attacks from the moment the referee blew his whistle.

From a confused situation in the penalty area of Thanh Hóa, midfielder Hưng was present on time to open the score for the hosts.

Hưng’s goal was a driving force for Quảng Nam to play more aggressively to seek more goals but they failed.

After the break, striker Hoàng Đình Tùng, who is a national footballer, was sent onto the ground with the hope of earning at least one point for the visitors.

However, Tùng could not help his team gain traction in attacks.

In the 73rd minute, Thanh Hóa’s captain Pape Omar Faye had a chance to level the score, but he couldn’t beat the goalie, Phạm Văn Cường of Quảng Nam.

In the remainder, the two sides tried their best to earn goals but were unlucky.

Elsewhere, Sông Lam Nghệ An tied with Quảng Ninh Coal 2-2, Sanna Khánh Hòa drew goalless with SHB Đà Nẵng, Cần Thơ defeated former champions Becamex Bình Dương 2-1, Hải Phòng won Nam Định 1-0 and HCM City bested Sài Gòn 2-1.

After three rounds, Quảng Ninh temporarily top the rankings with seven points, followed by Hà Nội with six points and Đà Nẵng with four points. — VNS