League

Thanh Hoa Stadium
Spectators: 8475 (Terracing: 6357, Seating: 1949, VIP seats: 169) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Lưu Minh Phượng got the match started through his kick off. Nguyễn Tu recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 3rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Mai Phong had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 8th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Lưu Minh Phượng received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 11th minute. Nguyễn Thi tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 14 minutes, Nguyễn Tu mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Lao Cai and the THANH HÓA FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 14th match minute, Lao Cai was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nguyễn Tu to maneuver through the defense. After a rather tough play, Lao Cai's Chung Hoang got a free kick in the 17th minute. Nguyễn Van Quyen hit a great freekick 27 minutes into the match. Huỳnh Hong could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 29th minute of the match, but Nguyễn Thi made a huge save. After 31 minutes Lao Cai's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Nguyễn Viet who took care of the corner kick. Nguyễn Viet made a great header on THANH HÓA FC's corner, it was just that Lao Cai's Nguyễn Thi managed to reach the ball for a save. If Huỳnh Hong had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 35 minutes into the match, Lao Cai's goalkeeper Nguyễn Thi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Huỳnh Hong. In the 42nd minute Lý Minh-ha shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Mai Quang Thanh saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of THANH HÓA FC booed when Lao Cai was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 45 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nguyễn Binh didn't get a good kick on the ball. Nguyễn Viet sent away a hard shot on goal in the 46th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Mai Phong was the one to do the kick off. Lao Cai's Lý Minh-ha got a good chance for a goal in the 54th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Lý Minh-ha received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. Mai Quang Thanh tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Mai Phong in the 59th minute of play forced THANH HÓA FC's goalkeeper Mai Quang Thanh to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 59th minute, Hoàng Tuan Hoang hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. If Mai Phong had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 61st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Mai Phong received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 65th minute. Mai Quang Thanh tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Mai Phong sent away a hard shot on goal in the 68th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Mai Quang Thanh came out of the goal in the 70th minute to try and stop a shot by Lao Cai's Lý Minh-ha. But to his dismay, Lý Minh-ha quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 1-1. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Lưu Minh Phượng in the 74th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Nguyễn Thi prevented the ball from getting in the gole. A collision led to Lao Cai getting a freekick after 77 minutes play. Nguyễn Binh hit a great ball. 78 minutes into the match, Lao Cai's goal looked a bit too open when Nguyễn Viet came free, but Nguyễn Thi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Mai Quang Thanh made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Mai Phong in the 82nd minute of play. 83 minutes into the match, THANH HÓA FC's goal looked a bit too open when Mai Phong came free, but Mai Quang Thanh reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Bùi Quang kicked well hit freekick during the 84th minute of the match. Mai Quang Thanh made an important save on a dangerous shot by Lý Minh-ha in the 85th minute. In the 93rd minute Lưu Minh Phượng shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Nguyễn Thi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 93rd minute, Trần Hanh hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 97 minutes into the game, Lao Cai's Lý Minh-ha nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Mai Quang Thanh made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. Lao Cai played a much better game than THANH HÓA FC and deserved their victory. The THANH HÓA FC players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.