League

Lạch Tray
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Sam Son's Phạm Huy 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. Sam Son's Nguyễn Thien proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 11th minute of the match, managed to save Sam Son from getting a goal against them. Phạm Thi recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 13th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 14 minutes into the match, Hải Phòng FC's goal looked a bit too open when Nguyễn Diem came free, but Nguyễn Thuy reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Nguyễn Thuy came out of the goal in the 16th minute to try and stop a shot by Sam Son's Phạm Huy. But to his dismay, Phạm Huy quickly shot the ball in between his legs and into the goal making it 0-1. Trần Loc blasted a shot towards the goal in the 35th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Nguyễn Thien having to make a save. The supporters of Sam Son booed when Hải Phòng FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 41 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nguyễn Phu didn't get a good kick on the ball. Phạm Thi kicked well hit freekick during the 47th minute of the match. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Trần Loc to make the kick off. After having played for 53 minutes, Phan Tuan managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Hải Phòng FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Phan Tuan was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 59 minutes into the match, Hải Phòng FC's Phạm Thi sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Nguyễn Thien narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Vũ Chi kicked well hit freekick during the 64th minute of the match. In the 65th match minute, Hải Phòng FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Nguyễn Phu to maneuver through the defense. Nguyễn Duc's late challenge caught a Sam Son's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Nguyễn Duc helped the player get up and apologised. Nguyễn Phu hit a great freekick 71 minutes into the match. Nguyễn Hoai sent away a hard shot on goal in the 72nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Vũ Chi's late challenge caught a Sam Son's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Vũ Chi helped the player get up and apologised. After a rather tough play, Hải Phòng FC's Vũ Chi got a free kick in the 76th minute. Phạm Huy received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 83rd minute. Nguyễn Thuy tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of Sam Son booed when Hải Phòng FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 85 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nguyễn Duc didn't get a good kick on the ball. 86 minutes into the match, Trần Cadeo sent off a long shot that looked like it was going straight into the goal, but because Nguyễn Thuy threw himself in his full length he managed to grip the ball by the left post, and there was no goal for Trần Cadeo this time. Sam Son's Phạm Huy got a good chance for a goal in the 94th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Nguyễn Thien took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Trần Loc, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Sam Son's players went to the stands to thank the travelling support. The fan's backing had helped spurr the team on to a fine performance that won them the match.