Viet Nam News
Football
HA NOI — Defending champions Quang Nam beat the runners-up Thanh Hoa 1-0 in the third round of the V.League 1 on March 22.
The match was held at Tam Ky Stadium in the central province of Quang Nam.
Phan Thanh Hung scored the only goal for Quang Nam in the 12th minute to help his team win the game.
In the two previous rounds, Quang Nam had an unexpected start. They tied 1-1 with Sai Gon FC and lost to SHB Da Nang 1-2. While Thanh Hoa have played only one match in the second round of the national premier league as they have been busy competing at the ongoing AFC Cup 2018, they beat HCM City 1-0.
So Quang Nam needed a win to regain their form. They played counter attacks from the moment the referee blew his whistle.
From a confused situation in the penalty area of Thanh Hoa, midfielder Hung was present on time to open the score for the hosts.
Hung’s goal was a driving force for Quang Nam to play more aggressively to seek more goals but they failed.
After the break, striker Hoang Dinh Tung, who is a national footballer, was sent onto the ground with the hope of earning at least one point for the visitors.
However, Tung could not help his team gain traction in attacks.
In the 73rd minute, Thanh Hoa’s captain Pape Omar Faye had a chance to level the score, but he couldn’t beat the goalie, Pham Van Cuong of Quang Nam.
In the remainder, the two sides tried their best to earn goals but were unlucky.
Elsewhere, Song Lam Nghe An tied with Quang Ninh Coal 2-2, Sanna Khanh Hoa drew goalless with SHB Da Nang, Can Tho defeated former champions Becamex Binh Duong 2-1, Hai Phong won Nam Dinh 1-0 and HCM City bested Sai Gon 2-1.
After three rounds, Quang Ninh temporarily top the rankings with seven points, followed by Ha Noi with six points and Da Nang with four points. — VNS