Football

HCM CITY — The goal by striker Youssouf Toure of Sanna Khánh Hòa in the very last seconds of the match against Sài Gòn FC in the eighth round of V-League 2018 saved the team from a loss yesterday.

The match ended 1-1.

While the host, Sài Gòn FC, was ranked 12^th among the 14 teams of V-League, Sanna Khánh Hòa was ranked among the three best.

Despite being the visiting team to Thống Nhất Stadium, it was Sanna Khánh Hòa who controlled the first half of the match and created more dangerous opportunities.

However, the advantage of their home stadium helped Sài Gòn FC to compete equally against their competitor. The first half of the match concluded without any goals.

The hosts suddenly led the match with a goal by midfielder Lê Hoàng Thiên in the 55^th minute. The former player of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai FC ran up the field and defeated goalkeeper Nguyên Mạnh of the opposition.

Sanna Khánh Hòa drew on all their strength to counterattack fiercely in search of an equalizer.

Their prayers were answered in the final minutes of extra time. Defender Văn Ngọ of the hosts was called up for a foul in the penalty area and striker Toure made no mistake, scoring from the penalty spot and equalizing the match in the dying seconds.

The result was the fourth time the two teams had ended in a draw. While Sài Gòn FC temporarily climb up one position in the table, Sanna Khánh Hòa remain in third place with 13 points after eight rounds. — VNS