League

Can Tho
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Thai Binh's Dương Hieu 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. Nguyễn Mai sent away a hard shot on goal in the 6th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Phạm Quang received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 9th minute. Lê Tuan Hoang tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Tạ Hung had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 11th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Dương Hieu, who was free, got the in front of the goal in the 13 minute he wasn't focused and tipped the ball just over the goal. The Phan Cuc was delighted since the ball would have got in if it had gone under the crossbar. With a little luck, Thai Binh's Lê Tuan Hoang got control of the ball when Phạm Quang tried to sneak it across the goal line. After having played for 19 minutes, Dương Hieu managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Thai Binh's supporters crossed their fingers, but Dương Hieu was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 20 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Can Tho! Phan Cuc had in the 22ndth minute some difficulties stopping Nguyễn Liem's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. After some careless play in the Can Tho defense, Nguyễn Liem kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Phan Cuc. The Can Tho fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Phan Cuc should have stopped the shot. Lê Tuan Hoang showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nguyễn Mai in the 36th minute of the match. Lê Dong hit a great freekick 40 minutes into the match. When the match clock showed 45 minutes, the score became 0-2 when Dương Hieu sped through Can Tho's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Phan Cuc. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-2 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Nguyễn Mai stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. 55 minutes into the match, Phạm Quang notched a goal, 2-2, to the right of Thai Binh's Lê Tuan Hoang. Lê Tuan Hoang was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Phan Cuc made an important save on a dangerous shot by Tạ Hung in the 68th minute. Dương Hieu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 69th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Hồ Quang Thanh kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. In the 73rd minute, Can Tho's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Tạ Hung fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Dương Hieu in the 75th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Phan Cuc prevented the ball from getting in the gole. Hồ Quang Thanh's late challenge caught a Thai Binh's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Hồ Quang Thanh helped the player get up and apologised. Hồ Quang Thanh hit a great freekick 76 minutes into the match. In the 78th minute, Nguyễn Liem hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Phan Cuc made a fantastic save in the 85th minute, when Tạ Hung sent off a good shot on target. In the 94th minute, Nguyễn Mai left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Can Tho fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-2.