Hanoi FC and SHB Da Nang players fight for the ball during their matchday 10 encounter on May 19. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)

Here are five talking points from the weekend’s V.League action:

1. Goalie Bui Tien Dung makes a forgettable 2019 V.League debut

Keeper Bui Tien Dung delivers a poor display in his V.League debut for Hanoi FC.

For the first time in the 2019 V.League season, keeper Bui Tien Dung, the hero of Vietnam U23s at last year’s AFC U-23 Championship, made the starting list for Hanoi FC as the reigning champions hosted SHB Da Nang last weekend. However, the Thanh Hoa-born goalie could not utilise the rare opportunity to prove himself and vie for a regular berth in Chu Dinh Nghiem’s squad.

Specifically, Tien Dung failed to block Thanh Hai’s equaliser a few minutes before half-time by flying in the opposite direction, before being defeated again by Dominik Schmitt’s decisive header with nine minutes to go. Although Hanoi FC clinched the overall 3-2 victory, the 90 minutes at Hang Day stadium could not be seen as a good display by goalie Bui Tien Dung.

2. Nguyen Van Toan becomes top Vietnamese scorer in 2019 V.League

Forward Nguyen Van Toan has scored five goals for Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 2019 V.League.

After the overseas departure of teammate Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Van Toan has promptly become the frontrunner in Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s attacking line. Van Toan’s 27th-minute opener against Becamex Binh Duong on Sunday helped him become the most prolific Vietnamese scorer in the 2019 V.League with a tally of five goals after 10 matches.

The impressive showing led the Gia Lai forward to be voted the “man of the match”. Interestingly enough, this is the fifth time that he has taken the honour since the beginning of the season. Van Toan’s goal earned Hoang Anh Gia Lai a precious point after a 1-1 draw at home, thus extending their unbeaten run under newly appointed manager Lee Tae-hoon to four games.

3. Keeper’s silly mistake deprives Quang Nam of victory

Teammates console keeper Van Cuong after the match.

Taking a 1-0 lead until the 90th minute, Quang Nam FC could have celebrated their second win of the 2019 V.League season while hosting Nam Dinh FC on Sunday, however, a silly mistake by keeper Van Cuong forced the central team to drop their triumph.

In an effort to “buy time”, the 28-year-old goalie lay on the ground without throwing the ball out, thus committing the foul of holding the ball for more than six seconds, which earned Nam Dinh an indirect freekick in the penalty area. Nam Dinh forward Patiyo made use of the golden opportunity to equalise the score and secure them a precious away point. After the match, Van Cuong did not hide his disappointment at himself. Many teammates came to show sympathy and console the former keeper of the Vietnamese national squad.

4. Ho Chi Minh City extend reign at top

Two goals by Vinicius (L) and Hoang Thinh (R) fire Ho Chi Minh City to the full three points against Quang Ninh Coal.

Chung Hae-seong’s Ho Chi Minh City continued to prove themselves as a new force in the V.League by beating Quang Ninh Coal 2-1 on Friday to extend their dominance on top of the table, two points clear.

Notably, midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh marked a strong return from injury, coming off the bench to score a late winner two minutes into injury time to secure the southern team’s seventh win after ten games.

5. Newly promoted Viettel FC deeply engulfed in crisis

Que Ngoc Hai (R) does not live up to manager Lee Heung-sil's expectations.

Lee Heung-sil’s troops continued to extend their disappointing run in 2019 V.League with a humiliating 0-3 loss against Saigon FC on Saturday. It was the fourth defeat conceded by the newly promoted team in their last five league matches.

Throughout the 90 minutes at Thong Nhat stadium, the back line went on to be Viettel’s weakest point with a series of blameworthy defensive mistakes by Duc Chien or Que Ngoc Hai. In the absence of captain Bui Tien Dung, Que Ngoc Hai was entrusted by manager Lee Heung-sil to hold the armband and direct Viettel’s defensive line. However, he did not live up to expectations, and even “contributed” to the guests’ third conceded goal with a handball in the box.

Nhan Dan