League

Phan Rang-Thap Cham
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Kien Giang's Nguyễn Chuong 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. When Phùng Chung fell near the penalty area in the 3rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Kien Giang's protests and gave Phùng Chung a yellow card for diving instead. In the 3rd match minute, Kien Giang was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Phùng Chung to maneuver through the defense. Trần Dong took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nguyễn Huy, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Kien Giang's Phùng Chung got his second yellow card of the match in the 9th minute. The referee ordered Phùng Chung off the ground. After 10 played minutes Kien Giang got a freekick which was hit by Phùng Chung. After a defensive mix-up in Kien Giang's zone, Nguyễn Huy stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Trần Dong came out of the goal and Nguyễn Huy tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. After some fancy dribbling in the 19th minute, Lê Minh managed to get in a good position for a shot. Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Lê Minh was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Trần Dong breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After a defensive mix-up in Kien Giang's zone, Nguyễn Huy stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Trần Dong came out of the goal and Nguyễn Huy tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 28th minute, Nguyễn Huy fired away a killer shot towards the goal that, to the delight of Trần Dong, passed just outside the right post. With his leg Trần Dong managed to avoid a goal in the 29thth minute, when Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC's Lê Minh fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. An unexpectedly hard shot by Nguyễn Huy in the 30th minute of play forced Kien Giang's goalkeeper Trần Dong to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Kien Giang's Trần Dong played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nguyễn Huy in the 32nd minute of play. If Nguyễn Huy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 40th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Nguyễn Huy received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 43rd minute. Trần Dong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Trần Dong showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Nguyễn Huy, who was totally free with the ball in the 46th minute. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Nguyễn Huy to strike the kick off in the second half. Lê Minh struck a weak shot in the 55th minute. Trần Dong didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC. 62 minutes into the match, Kien Giang's goal looked a bit too open when Nguyễn Huy came free, but Trần Dong reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Liễu Hoa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 66th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Liễu Hoa had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 69th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Lê Minh received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 72nd minute. Trần Dong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The audience thought a goal was coming when Liễu Hoa got free with Trần Bay in the 77th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Võ Dung hit a great freekick 77 minutes into the match. Nguyễn Huy received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 79th minute. Trần Dong tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC's Nguyễn Huy got a good chance for a goal in the 81st minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Liễu Hoa sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. If Nguyễn Huy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Trần Dong showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Nguyễn Huy in the 91st minute of the match. Kien Giang's Trần Dong played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Nguyễn Huy in the 93rd minute of play. A collision led to Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC getting a freekick after 95 minutes play. Phan Dong hit a great ball. The long shot by Văn Hoang in the 96th minute really tested Trần Bay's skills. The ball was on its way into the goal to the left of him when he managed to stretch himself and save the shot and avoid a goal.