However, in the 30th minute, Quang Nam faced a disadvantage when Tran Manh Toan got a red card and was forced to leave the ground; but the players of coach Hoang Van Phuc still fought unyieldingly.

In the 45th minute, Ha Minh Tuan doubled the score for the hosts before the first half closed.

Trung scored one more goal for Quang Nam in the 70th minute, while Vo Duy Nam scored the only goal for HCM City in the injury time.

At the same time at Cam Pha Stadium, Ha Noi FC, who had the simplest route to glory as they topped the rankings due to their head-to-head record, suffered a 4-4 draw with Quang Ninh Coal, thus losing the title to Quang Nam.

Meanwhile, at Vinh Stadium, FLC Thanh Hoa beat Song Lam Nghe An 1-0 to become the runners-up of the national premier league.

Thanh Hoa earned three points in the last game but the title still belonged to Quang Nam because of a difference in the head-to-head record.

According to coach Phuc, the reason for Quang Nam’s victory is their solidarity.

“I am rather surprised with our title but it is a deserving fruit of the whole team’s labour. Our initial goal was to be in the top three but during the competition, my players showed their skills and quality. Sometimes, the club met with difficult situations but the players held their hands tightly to create achievements,” said Phuc.

“I want to dedicate this trophy to all the fans of Quang Nam, the club’s leaders and especially to my mother,” Phuc added.

Quang Nam’s line-up did not have too many stars. They maintained their good form during the event without depending too much on several individuals.

In this year’s tourney, Binh Duong ranked 11th but striker and captain of the team, Nguyen Anh Duc, won the best scorer award with 17 goals. He has become the best domestic player who has scored the most goals in the league’s history.

With this award, Duc also overthrew the 15-year domination of a foreign striker. 

VNS