The last matches in the 22nd round of the V-League 2017, on the evening of October 22, saw hosts Hanoi FC beat visitors XSKT Can Tho 4-0 to climb to the top of the rankings with 39 points after 22 matches played.

Hanoi FC players (in blue) deliver a super performance to trounce XSKT Can Tho (in green) at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium on October 22. 

Prior to the clash, Hanoi FC were ranked at No. 4 with 36 points, while Can Tho were in the penultimate position with 18 points. The Hanoi club's goal was to win three points on their journey to compete for the championship title.

Hanoi FC attacked right from the kick off and, in the 8th minute, Ganiyu Oseni forced his way into the penalty box, but his shot could not beat the Can Tho goalkeeper. However, Oseni did not have to wait for long as, in the 11th minute, the Nigerian striker delivered a superb header to open the scoring for Hanoi.

In the 19th minute, Can Tho had their first dangerous attack but Hoang Vissai could not beat goalie Van Cong. The Can Tho players then upped the tempo of the match with crosses from the two wings aimed at forcing an equaliser. However, the guests paid a high cost as they pushed forward, leaving themselves exposed in defence and, in the 30th minute, Nguyen Van Dung finished with another header to widen the gap to 2-0 for his home team.

After conceding the second goal, the Can Tho players desperately searched for goals but could not convert their opportunities. Even when awarded a penalty in injury time in the first half, Can Tho could not narrow the gap as Nsi missed the golden chance on the 11m spot. Hanoi temporarily led 2-0 after the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, Hanoi continued to play a pressing game. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem’s players comfortably controlled the midfield but couldn’t increase the score until the last few minutes. In the 85th minute, substitute Doan Van Hau came off the bench and had a simple finish to score the third goal for Hanoi.

The remaining minutes saw consecutive shots from Can Tho on the goal of goalkeeper Van Cong but scoring a goal became “mission impossible” for the visitors.

In the second minute of the injury time, Nguyen Van Dung put an end to Can Tho’s efforts as his header brought the fourth goal for Hanoi. 4-0 was also the final score of the match.

The same day, at Cam Pha Stadium, the two title favourites Quang Ninh Coal and FLC Thanh Hoa played another decisive clash on their route to the championship. As V-League 2017 has only five rounds remaining, the fight for each point was demonstrated by the teams’ great efforts with high determination in these final rounds.

Thanh Hoa opened the scoring in the 30th minute but hosts Quang Ninh claimed an equaliser in the 44th minute. In the second half, the hosts were better and soon took a 2-1 lead with a successful penalty kick in the 47th minute. Strengthened attacks helped Quang Ninh to net two more goals in the 85th and 88th minutes but superb efforts in injury time by the Thanh Hoa players reduced the deficit to 3-4. It was also the final result of the clash at Cam Pha Stadium.

The last match of Round 22 yesterday saw the team at the bottom Long An tie 3-3 with Saigon FC. Previously, in the matches on October 20 and 21, Quang Nam tied with Hoang Anh Gia Lai 1-1, Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN beat SHB Da Nang 3-2, Ho Chi Minh City tied 1-1 with Becamex Binh Duong, and Song Lam Nghe An lost 2-3 to Hai Phong.

After Round 22, there has been a big change in the V-League 2017 rankings. Hanoi take the lead with 39 points, pushing Quang Nam down into second place with the same 39 points (worse goal difference); followed by FLC Thanh Hoa with 38 points, Sanna Khanh Hoa with 37 points, and Quang Ninh Coal with 36 points. Long An are now at the bottom of the table, with just 10 points after 22 matches. Can Tho are ranked 13th with 18 points, behind Hoang Anh Gia Lai in 12th place with 21 points.

Nhan Dan