The “golden” goal of Văn Thanh from a penalty kick at the 87th minute helped HAGL defeat the runners-up HCMC 2-1, through which they finish their target to stay at the league successfully tight at Thống Nhất stadium. This result does not change the second place of HCMC.

The match in round 25 between HCMC and Hoàng Anh Gia Lai is important to both teams. To HCMC, the race to the trophy is ended but the team under Uncle Ho’s name still played with the best effort in the last home match so as to appreciate their fans with a victory for an entire day receiving runners-up medals. Meanwhile, HAGL had to get a win in order to ensure their target to stay at the league.

Therefore, the game at Thống Nhất stadium happened drastically and interestingly right after the kick-off whistle. Both teams did not hide their intention as their starting XI seemed to be the strongest and they chose attacking right at the beginning, but wariness was still highly evaluated. The first dangerous circumstance took place at the 17th minute when Minh Vương was responsible for a free kick close to the box. The player made the fans of HCMC startle as his odd free kick brought the ball to the pole.

Since then, the guests played better and continuously created opportunities, however, Văn Toàn, A Hoàng, Minh Vương, etc missed them in regret. Meanwhile, it seemed that hosts HCMC did not have much chances in response as they had a low evaluation on their opponents. The fist half thus ended with no goal scored.

Starting the second half, the guests were more eager as they pushed their squad high to create pressure on the hosts. At the 55th minute, Martins was head to head with goalkeeper Thanh Diệp but he did not take the chance successfully. Heat of the match became higher at the 60th minute when HAGL’s Văn Thanh was faulted in the box, and the referee pointed to the penalty dot without hesitation. Hồng Duy then excellently defeated Thanh Diệp to make the score 1-0 for HAGL.

But this advantage fo HAGL was not maintained long as the hosts immediately started to attack instead of defending with a crowded number of players like before. And at the 75 minute, Phi Sơn made the score 1-1 for HCMC with an accurate shoot from the penalty dot. As it would seem, HCMC hoped to end the game with a draw after they leveled up the score as they actively heated down and implemented a safe playing style. Despite, HAGL did not want this to happen as their target is 3 points.

Thus, the mountainous town football club increased attacks and laid pressure on the hosts and their efforts were finally responded. At the 87th minute, Hữu Tuấn once again made a mistake as he faulted Văn Toàn in the box. In front of a golden chance, Văn Thanh net without any mistake. This goal also decided a 2-1 win for HAGL. With this result, the team of tycoon Đức officially avoided relegation successfully, while HCMC’s second place was still not changed

Source – thethaohcm.vn