League

Vinh Long
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dong Hoi's Phạm Pham started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. After 3 minutes, Đặng Duy mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Vinh Long and the Dong Hoi players grew even worse after the yellow card. Đặng Duy kicked well hit freekick during the 3rd minute of the match. Trần Cuc made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Phạm Thi Ngoc in the 4th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Vinh Long's zone, Phạm Thi Ngoc stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Trần Cuc came out of the goal and Phạm Thi Ngoc tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. When Phạm Cuc came up free with the goalie in the 13th minute, the Dong Hoi fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Phạm Cuc couldn't finish the play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Phạm Pham in the 14th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Trần Cuc prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Trần Cuc came out of the goal in the 23rd minute to try and stop a shot by Dong Hoi's Phạm Pham. But to his dismay, Phạm Pham quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. 27 minutes into the game, Phạm Cuc was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Dong Hoi's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Vinh Long the free kick. Đặng Duy kicked well hit freekick during the 31st minute of the match. Nguyễn Tấn Dũng came free with the goalkeeper in the 33rd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Tạ Phuong could save by the left post. Đặng Duy received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 35th minute. Tạ Phuong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Trần Cuc took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Phạm Thi Ngoc, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 43rd minute Phạm Pham shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Trần Cuc saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Đặng Duy sent away a hard shot on goal in the 45th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Đặng Duy to make the kick off. When Đặng Duy came up free with the goalie in the 54th minute, the Vinh Long fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Đặng Duy couldn't finish the play. Đặng Duy struck a weak shot in the 59th minute. Tạ Phuong didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Vinh Long. Phạm Cuc kicked well hit freekick during the 60th minute of the match. Dong Hoi's Phạm Pham got a good chance for a goal in the 64th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 75th minute Nguyễn Tấn Dũng shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tạ Phuong saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Phạm Thi Ngoc had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 77th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Phạm Pham recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 80th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. When Nguyễn Hieu Ngan fell near the penalty area in the 82nd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Vinh Long's protests and gave Nguyễn Hieu Ngan a yellow card for diving instead. The supporters of Dong Hoi booed when Vinh Long was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 83 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nguyễn Hieu Ngan didn't get a good kick on the ball. After 88 played minutes Dong Hoi got a freekick which was hit by Phạm Tuan. 91 minutes into the match, Phạm Thi Ngoc notched a goal, 0-2, to the right of Vinh Long's Trần Cuc. Trần Cuc was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. After some fancy dribbling in the 95th minute, Nguyễn Hieu Ngan managed to get in a good position for a shot. Vinh Long's supporters rose to their feet, but Nguyễn Hieu Ngan was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Tạ Phuong breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Dong Hoi walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.