League

Maloso Dome
Spectators: 8415 (Terracing: 6312, Seating: 1935, VIP seats: 168) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Lê Chi made the kick off which started today's match. 5 minutes into the game, Nguyễn Minh Phượng cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 0-1. Nguyễn Viet was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. In the 11th minute of the match Đặng Lien shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Nguyễn Viet showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. Nguyễn Minh Phượng 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. Ngô Tan struck a weak shot in the 15th minute. Lê Thi didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for 7-1 FC. If Lê Chi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 23rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The audience was convinced that Nguyễn Minh Phượng's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Nguyễn Viet was relentless in the 27th minute of the game. Nguyễn Viet took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Nguyễn Minh Phượng, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Nguyễn Viet showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lê Chi, who was totally free with the ball in the 32nd minute. When 7-1 FC's Nguyễn Nam in the 33rd minute got a chance for a shot 33rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Ho Chi Minh City's goalie prevented a goal. Nguyễn Minh Phượng might have been able to make a better finish in the 47th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Nguyễn Viet. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Nguyễn Minh Phượng ran back to his position shaking his head. After the first half Ho Chi Minh City were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Nguyễn Nam was the one to do the kick off. Ngô Tan took the ball and in the 54 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Lê Thi. Lê Thi dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. In the 63rdth minute of the game Ngô Tan who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Ho Chi Minh City's Lê Thi was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. 65 minutes into the match, 7-1 FC's goal looked a bit too open when Lê Chi came free, but Nguyễn Viet reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. 67 minutes into the match, Ho Chi Minh City's Lê Chi sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Nguyễn Viet narrowly saved just below the crossbar. With an all-out effort, Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyễn Viet threw himself towards the right post 73 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Trần Dong, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. 75 minutes into the game, Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyễn Minh Phượng nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Nguyễn Viet made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-2. After having played for 79 minutes, Lê Chi managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Ho Chi Minh City's supporters crossed their fingers, but Lê Chi was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. When Đỗ Thi Ngoc fell near the penalty area in the 83rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored 7-1 FC's protests and gave Đỗ Thi Ngoc a yellow card for diving instead. Đỗ Thi Ngoc hit a great freekick 84 minutes into the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 87th minute, Nguyễn Minh Phượng managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ho Chi Minh City's supporters rose to their feet, but Nguyễn Minh Phượng was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Nguyễn Viet breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 88 played minutes 7-1 FC got a freekick which was hit by Phan Bien. Nguyễn Viet made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lê Chi in the 90th minute of play. Nguyễn Minh Phượng fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Nguyễn Viet having to interfere. In the 95th minute, Lê Chi 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. Ho Chi Minh City played a much better game than 7-1 FC and deserved their victory. The 7-1 FC players were clearly disappointed as they left the ground.