HAGL won the second consecutive match in V-League

Gia Lai Tran Minh Vuong's two assists helped HAGL defeat Ho Chi Minh City Club 2-1 in round 13 of V-League 2023-2024.

The 2-1 victory over Thanh Hoa in round 12 seemed to give HAGL more confidence as they escaped the bottom of the table. Returning to their home ground Pleiku on the afternoon of March 9, they entered the match excitedly against the visiting team Ho Chi Minh City Club, whose form has been fluctuating with two wins and two draws since the beginning of 2024. The match also received more attention when owner Doan Nguyen Duc and coach Park Hang-seo were both present to watch.

In the 9th minute, Chau Ngoc Quang had the first chance, by turning his feet at the 16m50 line and then unleashing a left-footed shot that sent the ball wide of the left post. In the 19th minute, HAGL was awarded a free kick on the left wing, Tran Minh Vuong crossed the ball into the far corner for Dung Quang Nho to run in and cushion the ball close to the goal to open the score.

Tran Minh Vuong (left) celebrates the second goal with Chau Ngoc Quang. Photo: Minh Tran — Tran Minh Vuong (left) celebrates the second goal with Chau Ngoc Quang. Photo: *Minh Tran*

The home team continued to have chances in the 23rd minute, but Joao Veras was slow in finishing in the penalty area, allowing a Ho Chi Minh City defender to rush in and block. Three minutes later, still attacking through the middle, Minh Vuong passed the ball for Chau Ngoc Quang to run into the penalty area on the left side and then shot with his left foot diagonally, sending the ball low, defeating Patrik Le Giang for the second time.

In the excitement, HAGL's defense was negligent, allowing Ho Chi Minh City FC to score a goal in the 28th minute. Ngo Tung Quoc kicked the ball long from home for Cheick Timite to receive in the penalty area, then volleyed diagonally, causing Bui Tien Dung to touch the ball but still could not block it.

HAGL regrouped and played more tightly in the following minutes. Ho Chi Minh City FC had to attack to create conditions for the home team to counterattack, but Joao Veras and Chau Ngoc Quang missed their chances. In the 72nd minute, Quang used his chest to pass the ball in the middle to Minh Vuong. The midfielder born in 1995 skillfully dribbled past two Ho Chi Minh City FC players, then passed Patrik but finished slowly, allowing the opposing goalkeeper to retreat to block.

Ho Chi Minh City FC tried to rise up at the end of the match when coach Phung Thanh Phuong added striker Ho Tuan Tai to the field. And they almost succeeded. In the 90th minute, Vo Huy Toan hung the ball from a free kick on the right wing for Tuan Tai to head the ball past Jairo Filho but hit the crossbar. That was also the last dangerous chance to end the match with a 2-1 victory for HAGL.

Winning two consecutive matches and being the fourth consecutive unbeaten match helped HAGL gain 13 points to consolidate 12th place. The team is three and five points ahead of The Cong and Khanh Hoa respectively. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City Club is stuck in seventh place with 18 points.

Starting lineup

HAGL: Bui Tien Dung, Le Van Son, Jairo Filho, Dung Quang Nho, Tran Bao Toan, Vo Dinh Lam, Tran Thanh Son, Chau Ngoc Quang, Tran Minh Vuong, Gabriel Dias, Joao Veras

Ho Chi Minh City Club: Patrik Le Giang, Ngo Tung Quoc, Thanh Thao, Minh Tung, Vo Huy Toan, Lucas Brendon, Sam Ngoc Duc, Thanh Khoi, Bui Ngoc Long, Cheick Timite, Wander Luiz.

Mid-Autumn Festival

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