Quang Ninh Coal defeated HCM City 2-0 in the second round of the V. League 1 in the northern province of Quang Ninh on Friday.

Taking full advantage of playing on their home turf, Quang Ninh played an attacking game from the first minutes of the match to hunt for early goals, while the visitors played a defence-attack game.

During the first half, Quang Ninh encountered numerous difficulties in trying to break the HCM City defence but they could not score any goals.

In the 88th minute, after some confusion near the HCM City’s goal, Pham Nguyen Sa opened the score for the hosts.

In the 90th minute, Bui Van Hieu doubled the score for Quang Ninh.

Although HCM City lost to Quảng Ninh, the club’s acting chairman Le Cong Vinh promised to award VNĐ200 million (US$8,700) to his team.

“We are not sad. Although we lost, we tried our best and played unitedly. We just lacked luck,” said former Viet Nam national team captain Vinh, who has retired from competition.

It is for the first time in the league’s history that a loser will still receive a bonus.

In another match, Hai Phong came from behind to beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-1 at Pleiku Stadium.

In the 15th minute, from a penalty kick of Le Duc Luong, Tran Huu Dong Trieu put his header past Hai Phong’s goal keeper to open the score for the highland team Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

However, only eight minutes later, Hai Phong levelled, thanks to Le Van Thang’s goal.

After the break, the match became more interesting as the two teams attacked continuously to earn three points.

In the 78th minute, Doan Ngoc Tan took the score to 2-1 in favour of Hai Phong.

In other news, Quang Nam crushed Hanoi T&T 2-1, while Long An tied 1-1 with Binh Duong. 

VNS