League Play-Off

Lai Chau
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Nguyễn Nam started the match with the kick off in front of an excited audience. After having played for 4 minutes, Nguyễn Nam managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Manchester United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nguyễn Nam was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Hồ Tho was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Trần Loc showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 1-0 in the 10 minute of play. Nguyễn Nam sent away a hard shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Mui Ne's Hồ Tho played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nguyễn Nam in the 18th minute of play. In the 20th minute Nguyễn Nam shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Hồ Tho saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Mui Ne's zone, Nguyễn Nam stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Hồ Tho came out of the goal and Nguyễn Nam tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After 28 minutes, Trần Loc mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Mui Ne and the Manchester United players grew even worse after the yellow card. A collision led to Mui Ne getting a freekick after 28 minutes play. Trần Loc hit a great ball. Nguyễn Phuc, 29 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. After a defensive mix-up in Manchester United's zone, Trần Loc stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nguyễn Thien came out of the goal and Trần Loc tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 35 minutes into the game, Trần Loc lined in a short shot 2-0 behind a frustrated Hồ Tho. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Nguyễn Nam in the 38th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Hồ Tho saved Mui Ne from getting behind. Nguyễn Nam fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 39th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Hồ Tho having to interfere. Nguyễn Nam recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 44th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Trần Loc stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. An unexpectedly hard shot by Trần Loc in the 51st minute of play forced Mui Ne's goalkeeper Hồ Tho to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Hồ Tho made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Nguyễn Nam in the 52nd minute of play. Nguyễn Nam sent away a hard shot on goal in the 56th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After having played for 59 minutes, Trần Loc managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Manchester United's supporters crossed their fingers, but Trần Loc was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Nguyễn Nam received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Hồ Tho tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Hồ Tho took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Trần Loc, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nguyễn Nam's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Hồ Tho read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 75th minute of play. Trần Loc got his second yellow card in the match during the 76th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. Trần Loc hit a great freekick 77 minutes into the match. If Nguyễn Nam had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Trần Loc's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Hồ Tho read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 83rd minute of play. A collision led to Mui Ne getting a freekick after 85 minutes play. Bùi Dong hit a great ball. 86 minutes in the game, Nguyễn Nam dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. When Manchester United's Nguyễn Nam in the 88th minute got a chance for a shot 88th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Mui Ne's goalie prevented a goal. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Manchester United had played much better football throughout.