Nguyen Quang Hai was the hero for Pau FC in their Ligue 2 match last weekend, as the Vietnam star came off the bench and scored a late equalizer that ensured a 2-2 draw with Rodez AF on Saturday night. The goal was Quang Hai’s first as a Pau player, with the winger thus etching himself in history as the first Vietnamese player to have scored in the top two tiers of French football.
As their match approaches the 78th minute, Pau found themselves going down 2-1 at their own backyard. Having gone 1-0 up thanks to Pape Ibnou Ba at the end of the first half, Pau found themselves being outmatched throughout the second half, with Andy Pembele scoring Rodez’s equalizer in the 50th minute before 17 minutes later Nassim Ouammou gave the visitors the lead.
Pau manager Didier Tholot decided to introduce Quang Hai to replace Ba in the 78th minute, and the Vietnam international repaid his trust in him four minutes before full-time. Lapping up a Xavier Kouassi cross, Quang Hai managed to beat the Rodez offside trap before slotting home past the opposition goalie after a one-on-one encounter.
Scoring a vital equalizer and notching yourself as your country’s first goal-scorer in a foreign league is undoubtedly an unforgettable moment and for Quang Hai it’s no exception. The winger had seen his chances becoming quite limited as of late and even after the match manager Tholot said that Quang Hai hasn’t reached the standards of European football yet.
Once Quang Hai had fired home past the Rodez keeper, one can easily see relief and joy washing over his face. His late equalizer had saved Pau from certain defeat and it certainly motivates Quang Hai to work harder to meet the high standards of European football.
“This goal means a lot to me,” said Quang Hai, as quoted from both La Rep des Pyrenees and Football5star, “My first goal in France definitely adds more to my motivation. I will keep trying to do my best in giving my contributions for Pau FC.”
“Of course, earning the trust of the manager is my motivation,” added Quang Hai, who is expected to represent Vietnam in the upcoming 2022 AFF Championship.
The 2-2 draw meant that Pau are currently 16th in the Ligue 2 table with 11 points, equal with 15th placed Rodez and one point above 17th placed Laval in the relegation zone.