Tran Tien
Football Tribe Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City extended the lead at the top of the table with a 3-2 win over SHB Danang, as Hanoi FC only managed to get a draw at home against Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL)
As expected, Hanoi FC faced many difficulties in their match against HAGL. Striker Pape Omar Faye broke the deadlock for the hosts after just three minutes, giving Hanoi hope that they could pick up all three points against their arch-rivals. But, after that, the defending champions could not control the game and had problems with creating chances.
When Hanoi FC could not make their lead more secure, they were punished at the final minutes. Midfielder Xuan Truong passed the deadly ball to Van Toan, who accelerated beyond Hanoi FC’s defenders to score the equalizer for HAGL.
Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City beat SHB Danang 3-2 in the match at Ba Ria stadium. The hosts were trailing two times but finally recorded a come back to win, with the goals coming from Pham Cong Hien, Huynh Kesley Alves, and Victor Mansarray.
Now, Ho Chi Minh City has 33 points after 16 games, leaving them three points ahead of Hanoi.