Football

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội FC jumped to second place in the league beating Topenland Bình Định 4-2 on home turf on July 17 in Hà Nội.

New-contracted striker De Souza Ferreira Herlison Caion made a brilliant debut with a hattrick while Nguyễn Văn Vĩ scored one for the defending champions.

Bình Định's Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes had an opening goal at the 44th minute and Huỳnh Tiến Đạt netted in at the 73rd.

Hà Nội had 25 points, the same as Hà Nội Police, who were in the top position with a better goal difference.

After the match, coach Bozidar Bandovic praised his players while his counterpart Nguyễn Đức Thắng in the Bình Định side blamed the referees for causing his team's defeat.

"I really respect and thank my players for this win. We always want to play beautiful football and creates opportunities and we made it," said Bandovic.

"Hà Nội played well in the first half although we conceded a goal. I believed goals would come to us because we totally controlled the game and had opportunities. It's a pity that we suffered a goal from a set piece.

"We talked a lot during the break. I wanted my team to show their best and focus on our tactics. In the end, we had a good game. It is a great win but we still have six matches ahead."

Meanwhile, coach Thắng said: "TopenLand Bình Định expected to have a point from this match. We had chances and went ahead from the first half. However, Hà Nội played well. They successfully converted all opportunities into goals".

"However, I am not happy with referees. They ignored many mistakes including dangerous tackles of Hà Nội players. My midfielder Phạm Văn Thành got injured while forward Hà Đức Chinh suffered many tackles that could have caused injures."

After the loss, Bình Định dropped to eighth place with 19 points.

They are still a candidate for the championship title if they can win all matches on home soil and not lose on away ground in the next six matches.

In the next round, Bình Định will host Hà Nội Police at Quy Nhơn while Hà Nội will visit Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh at Hà Tĩnh Stadium on July 22. VNS