VietNamNet Bridge – FLC Thanh Hoa completed their first hat trick of the season, after winning the V.League’s third match yesterday, by defeating Long An 2-1 on their home turf.

Uche Iheruome (left) of FLC Thanh Hoa runs the ball away from Long An’s players during their V.League meet on January 18. Thanh Hoa win 2-1. — VNS Photo Manh Cuong

The result strengthens their first place position in the ranking table, with a perfect nine points.

It was not a difficult match for the hosts, although their captain, Omar, could not take part due to his being banned from eight matches, while three other regular players, Ngo Hoang Thinh and Nguyen Tang Tuan, could not play due to injuries.

Still, they dominated the game from the beginning with consecutive attacks to Long An’s goalkeeper Nguyen Minh Nhat.

Le Quoc Phuong, Nguyen Trong Hoang and Dinh Tien Thanh tested Nhat’s skills with both long- and short-distance kicks, but their finishes were not strong enough to score goals.

Uche Iheruome opened the scoring at the 63rd minute with a powerful header, after he received a pass from Phuong on the left wing.

Three minutes later, the score was doubled for the hosts when Hoang Van Binh broke into the penalty area and his left-leg finish found the net.

Long An pushed up their front line and narrowed the score five minutes before the end.

Hoang Danh Ngoc’s long kick touched the ground then changed direction and beat keeper Nguyen Thanh Thang, who failed to react to save his goal.

Another host, Hai Phong, also enjoyed victory when they defeated Quang Ninh Coal 2-0 in a match that was considered a derby of the Northeast region.

Hai Phong’s Lach Tray Stadium has been a difficult venue for all teams, and yesterday was no different for National Super Cup winner Quang Ninh.

Just two minutes into the game, Quang Ninh’s fans were silent, as they witnessed Errol Anthony Stevens’ perfect solo performance from the right wing before sending a ball to Nguyen Dinh Bao, who tapped it in from close range. Goalkeeper Huynh Tuan Linh successfully saved the net for the visitors.

Hai Phong played an exciting game yesterday, as their motivated players threatened Linh with numberless attempts, and they found the winning results at the 18th mark.

Stevens did not make any mistakes, as his canon shot assured that Linh had no chance.

The hosts’ second foreign striker, Fagan, made his trade during the early second half with a tap into the box.

Quang Ninh fought back, and also created their own opportunities, but failed to score a single goal.

It was a day for the hosts, as Ha Noi FC also won. They beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 3-0 at Hang Day Stadium.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai made several changes, as their key striker, Nguyen Cong Phuong, was pulled down to play as a midfielder, while his teammate Nguyen Van Toan was placed highest in the front line.

But these changes did not help. Phuong could not find his first goal of the season, while his team suffered an early goal in the ninth minute by Hoang Vu Samson, who made it 2-0 just two minutes after the interval.

The third goal went to Alvaro Linares Silva, whose shot was too strong to be stopped at the 58th minute.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai had almost no plan against the defending champions. Their only on-target shot belonged to 2016’s best young player, Vu Van Thanh, near the end of the first half.

The win pushed Ha Noi to the second position, with six points, while Hoang Anh Gia Lai stayed at the bottom, with three losses in a row.

In the City-derby, the latest match in the third round HCM City saw Sài Gòn FC defeated 1-0, with the only goal scored by Victor Manuel Ormazabal in the 38th minute.

Earlier, former champions SHB Da Nang drew 1-1 with neighbouring Quang Nam FC. Two-time winners Song Lam Nghe An tied 2-2 against Sanna Khanh Hoa. And Becamex Binh Duong defeated Can Tho 5-1.

The fourth round will be held on Sunday, after which, the teams will enjoy a 20-day break to celebrate the Lunar New Year with families. 

VNS