League

HA NOI STADIUM
Spectators: 5159 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 159) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Nguyễn Khoi made the kick off which started today's match. Phan Khoi took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nguyễn Bien, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Hoàng Hung came out of the goal in the 9th minute to try and stop a shot by Bắc Kạn's Nghiêm Nhật Minh. But to his dismay, Nghiêm Nhật Minh quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Nghiêm Nhật Minh in the 12th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Hoàng Hung saved Manchester from getting behind. In the 17th minute, Nguyễn Khoi fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Phan Khoi, passed just outside the right post. After some fancy dribbling in the 20th minute, Vũ Tran managed to get in a good position for a shot. Manchester's supporters rose to their feet, but Vũ Tran was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Phan Khoi breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Phan Khoi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Trần Hong, who was totally free with the ball in the 22nd minute. Nguyễn Khoi's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Phan Khoi read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 24th minute of play. In the 30th minute Nguyễn Khoi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Phan Khoi saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Hoàng Hung made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Trần Hoai in the 33rd minute of play. Trần Hung hit a great freekick 35 minutes into the match. If Trần Hong had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 37th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. In the 38th minute, Vũ Tran got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. In the 42nd minute Trần Hoai shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Hoàng Hung saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Nguyễn Cuc struck a weak shot in the 43rd minute. Hoàng Hung didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bắc Kạn. Hoàng Hung showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nghiêm Nhật Minh, who was totally free with the ball in the 46th minute. Vũ Tran got a fine position in front of goal ttaking advantage of the opportunity to rumble in 1-1 in the right cross in the 47th match minute before Phan Khoi had time to react. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

53 minutes into the match, Bắc Kạn's goal looked a bit too open when Nguyễn Khoi came free, but Phan Khoi reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 56 minutes, Nguyễn Cuc mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Bắc Kạn and the Manchester players grew even worse after the yellow card. Nguyễn Cuc kicked well hit freekick during the 56th minute of the match. After recieving a nice pass, Manchester's Nguyễn Khoi tried to score from far away in the 57th minute, but the ball went over the crossbar. Phan Khoi stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Vũ Tran's shot from short distance in the 59th minute. In the 62nd minute, Trần Hung hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trần Hong in the 64th minute of play forced Bắc Kạn's goalkeeper Phan Khoi to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Trần Hong's late challenge caught a Bắc Kạn's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Trần Hong helped the player get up and apologised. In the 73rd match minute, Manchester was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Trần Hong to maneuver through the defense. After a defensive mix-up in Bắc Kạn's zone, Nguyễn Bien stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Phan Khoi came out of the goal and Nguyễn Bien tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Manchester's Hoàng Hung played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Trần Hoai in the 82nd minute of play. After 82 played minutes Manchester got a freekick which was hit by Trần Hong. Nguyễn Khoi blasted a shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Phan Khoi having to make a save. Nghiêm Nhật Minh kicked a quick shot right in front of the goal in the 89thth minute. Though ot was a great shot Manchester's keeper Hoàng Hung was sill able to block leaving the score board unchanged. Trần Hong hit a great freekick 90 minutes into the match. Nguyễn Cuc got his second yellow card in the match during the 95th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. In the 94th minute, one of Bắc Kạn:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Bắc Kạn. Nguyễn Khoi shot the penalty kick by force right in the crossbar. No goal. Phan Khoi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nguyễn Bien, who was totally free with the ball in the 99th minute. The Bắc Kạn supporters could be heard counting down the last seconds of the match. They errupted in celebration when the whistle blew, knowing Bắc Kạn would go home with victory in their luggage after a match that easily could have ended differently.