HÀ NỘI — Veteran team Thái Sơn Nam defeated Tân Hiệp Hưng at the National HDBank Futsal Championship yesterday in Hồ Chí Minh City.

Playing in Lãnh Binh Thăng Gymnasium, Thái Sơn Nam controlled most of the match. But it was not until the end of the first half that a goal from Đức Hòa put them ahead of Sài Gòn team Tân Hiệp Hưng.

Tân Hiệp Hưng failed to answer Đức Hòa’s goal, eventually falling 1-0.  

Tân Hiệp Hưng captain Tấn Đông said, “I regret one moment when Quang Huy had the ball. If I had been more careful with my pass to Tôn Thất Dinh, we would have evened the score.”

He also added his team had an unlucky day. “We prepared well, from practicing to tactical planning, but we lacked some luck today.”

Meanwhile, head coach Nguyễn Bảo Quân of Thái Sơn Nam said he was pleased with his team in the first half, when they controlled most of the play

“In second half, after committing many fouls, our ability to play a pressing style was lessened because players were afraid to commit more infractions,” he said. “Despite that, we tried our best and won three key points.”

He added the national futsal foundation has developed well, with the teams in Hồ Chí Minh City showing the most improvement. “We are defending our championship and rivals always want to bring us down. Their level is rising, so there are no more easy wins.”

However, Đông had a different view. “Thái Sơn Nam is not looking as strong this season. Today they were missing some strong players, such as Trọng Luân.”

In another match, Sài Gòn FC beat Thái Sơn Bắc 3-2.

In first half, goals for the Sài Gòn team were scored by Hoàng Nam, Nhất Hội and Hữu Thắng. The second half saw Thái Sơn Bắc mount a strong comeback, scoring twice but eventually falling short.

Thái Sơn Nam will meet Sanatech Sanest Khánh Hòa and Sài Gòn FC will face Sanna Khánh Hòa on September 13. — VNS