League

Bien Hoa
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Vũ Ho started the match with the kick off. Hanoi's Trần Hoang got a good chance for a goal in the 9th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Vũ Ho's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Nguyễn Tan read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 13th minute of play. If Ngô Liem had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 17th minute the ball was on its way in behind Hanoi's goalkeeper Nguyễn Tan, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Vũ Ho fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 18th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Nguyễn Tan having to interfere. After 21 played minutes Hanoi got a freekick which was hit by Ngô Liem. After a rather tough play, Bien Hoa's Bùi Dung got a free kick in the 30th minute. Nguyễn Duy charged in rather forcefully in the 33rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Nguyễn Duy the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 33rd minute of the game. One of Bien Hoa:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Hanoi:s goal. In the 34th minute there was a penalty for Hanoi. Văn Chung stepped forward and shot the ball to the right of a diving Nguyễn Dung. 0-1. Trần Thanh's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 38thth minute, Nguyễn Tan skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. In the 39th minute, Trần Hoang left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Hanoi fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 0-2. During the 43rd minute of the match Ngô Liem completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Ngô Liem a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. The supporters of Bien Hoa booed when Hanoi was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 44 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ngô Liem didn't get a good kick on the ball. Vũ Ho received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 45th minute. Nguyễn Tan tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Vũ Ho came up free with the goalie in the 48th minute, the Bien Hoa fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Vũ Ho couldn't finish the play. After the first half Hanoi were leading 0-2. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Trần Hoang to strike the kick off in the second half. Nguyễn Dung showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Phan Thanh Bình, who was totally free with the ball in the 53rd minute. 55 minutes into the match, Vũ Ho notched a goal, 1-2, to the right of Hanoi's Nguyễn Tan. Nguyễn Tan was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. When Bien Hoa's Vũ Ho in the 58th minute got a chance for a shot 58th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Hanoi's goalie prevented a goal. Phan Thanh Bình charged in rather forcefully in the 61st minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Phan Thanh Bình the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. A collision led to Hanoi getting a freekick after 61 minutes play. Phan Thanh Bình hit a great ball. 62 minutes into the match, Bien Hoa's Trịnh Cuc broke free and took a long shot that unfortunately flew wide. A fine initiative that could have resulted in a goal. If Vũ Ho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 63rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Hanoi's Trần Hoang got a good chance for a goal in the 69th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 70th match minute, Bien Hoa was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Bùi Dung to maneuver through the defense. The audience thought a goal was coming when Trần Hoang got free with Nguyễn Dung in the 71st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. In the 90th minute, Trần Thanh 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. If Vũ Ho had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 98 played minutes Bien Hoa got a freekick which was hit by Nguyễn Bien. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.