League Play-Off

Hai Phong
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Nguyễn Minh kicked off to start the match. 3 minutes into the match, Nguyễn Hoang notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of Hai Phong's Đặng Tho. Đặng Tho was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Nguyễn Minh in the 7th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Nguyễn Lam prevented the ball from getting in the gole. 10 minutes into the match, Việt Nam's Nguyễn Hoang sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Đặng Tho narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Hai Phong's Đặng Tho played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nguyễn Hoang in the 14th minute of play. When Trần Hieu fell near the penalty area in the 16th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Hai Phong's protests and gave Trần Hieu a yellow card for diving instead. With a little luck, Việt Nam's Nguyễn Lam got control of the ball when Phan Binh tried to sneak it across the goal line. Trần Hieu was shown his second yellow card after 20 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. A collision led to Hai Phong getting a freekick after 20 minutes play. Trần Hieu hit a great ball. If Vũ Nam had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 22nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Nguyễn Thuy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 31st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Việt Nam's Nguyễn Lam proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 32nd minute of the match, managed to save Việt Nam from getting a goal against them. In the 34thth minute of the game Nguyễn Hoang who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Hai Phong's Đặng Tho was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. In the 39th minute Nguyễn Hoang shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Đặng Tho saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Vũ Nam fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 40th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Đặng Tho having to interfere. Hai Phong's Đặng Tho played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vũ Nam in the 43rd minute of play. Đặng Tho made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vũ Nam in the 45th minute of play. Luck had favoured the away team in the first, and they walked off with a 0-1 lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Nguyễn Hoang stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The audience thought a goal was coming when Vũ Nam got free with Đặng Tho in the 54th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Everyone was convinced a goal was close when Việt Nam's Nguyễn Hoang in the 65th minute lifted the ball towards the upper right corner, but Đặng Tho was perfectly placed and prevented a goal for Hai Phong through an amazing save. A collision led to Hai Phong getting a freekick after 69 minutes play. Nguyễn Minh hit a great ball. After a defensive mix-up in Việt Nam's zone, Nguyễn Thuy stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nguyễn Lam came out of the goal and Nguyễn Thuy tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 79 minutes into the match, Việt Nam's goal looked a bit too open when Nguyễn Thuy came free, but Nguyễn Lam reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After some fancy dribbling in the 81st minute, Nguyễn Hoang managed to get in a good position for a shot. Việt Nam's supporters rose to their feet, but Nguyễn Hoang was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Đặng Tho breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 83 played minutes Việt Nam got a freekick which was hit by Nguyễn Hoang. Nguyễn Thuy received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 84th minute. Nguyễn Lam tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Hai Phong's Đặng Tho played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nguyễn Hoang in the 86th minute of play. Nguyễn Hoang struck a weak shot in the 87th minute. Đặng Tho didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Việt Nam. When Nguyễn Hoang fell near the penalty area in the 93rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Việt Nam's protests and gave Nguyễn Hoang a yellow card for diving instead. After 93 played minutes Việt Nam got a freekick which was hit by Nguyễn Hoang. Nguyễn Thuy sent away a hard shot on goal in the 96th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Việt Nam's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.