Hà Nội 3 – 3 Nam Định
Nam Định came within minutes of causing the shock of the season and in the process send Hà Nội to a first league defeat at the Hàng Đẫy stadium since August 2016.
The goalless first half was a tight affair, with Nam Định edging it in very wet conditions.
Diogo broke the deadlock 7 minutes after the restart, taking advantage of a hesitant Hanoi defence. Vũ Thế Vương doubled the lead with a sublime chip over Trần Anh Đức before Diogo looked to have sealed an unlikely win as he raced clear on 66 minutes, sending the visiting fans wild.
Hanoi have often struggled in defence against the so called ‘weaker teams’ (recently conceding 3 versus HCMC, 5 against Saigon and now 3 against Nam Định) but they remained calm and Nguyễn Quang Hải gave them hope with a technically delightful volley on the 81st minute. Five minutes later Hanoi were awarded a penalty when Vũ Đức Nam was adjudged to have handled Samson’s cutback. Nguyễn Văn Quyết made no mistake from the spot, sending Esele the wrong way.
With two minutes remaining Đoàn Văn Hậu completed an amazing comeback, heading in the equalizer from a corner. Esele was fuming at his teammates as the young center back was left totally unmarked and the chance of a shock victory, and a vital three points, disappeared.
Hanoi can feel slightly unlucky for not snatching all three points when Samson’s smashed the bar with the last kick of the game; a goal that wouldv’e been very harsh on the visitors.
Nam Định FC (image: vietfootball.com)
Sông Lam Nghệ An 2-1 Quảng Nam
SLNA’s remarkable winning streak continued with a 2-1 over reigning league champions Quảng Nam. Warley Oliveira scored a debut goal to give the visitors the lead early on but Cao Xuân Thắng’s low effort just before the break sent the team in all square.
A seventh win on the bounce was sealed when Olaha followed up Hồ Khắc Ngọc’s parried effort. Jeremie Lynch looked to have made the victory comfortable but his late effort was cleared off the line.
SLNA are now up to fourth and have an intriguing home tie against HAGL next before we take a break until September.
SLNA’s Hồ Khắc Ngọc (12) in action against Quảng Nam (image: FB: VPF)
Thanh Hóa 1 – 1 Quảng Ninh, Thanh Hóa: 1,000
Thanh Hóa and Quảng Ninh drew 1-1 in the days other game. Eydison headed in Nghiêm Xuân Tú’s cross to give the visitors the lead. Vũ Minh Tuấn came agonizingly close to equalizing but his fantastic 25 yard free kick smashed the upright. Thanh Hoa snatched a point through Hoàng Đình Tùng’s volley 15 minutes from time.
Sông Lam Nghệ An 2 – 1 Quảng Nam, Vinh: 3,000
Thanh Hóa 1-1 Quảng Ninh, Thanh Hóa: 1,000
Hà Nội 3 – 3 CLB Nam Định, Hàng Đẫy: 8,000
Vietnam Football 