Football
HANOI - Defending champions Hanoi FC beat Hong Linh Ha Tinh 1-0 on Tuesday to rise to second place in the V.League 1 table.
Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem said that the championship race would be exciting to the last match and three points against Ha Tinh was a key victory for his team.
“This is a key win for Hanoi. When Ha Noi had a goal, Ha Tinh fought back strongly, making it difficult for us to play. We then missed a chance to raise the score to 2-0 ”said Nghiem.
“At this time, Hanoi has only had the best players because our players haven has recovered from injuries, so it was difficult to win.
“This season will go to the final match to know which team will be crowned, only one win will change the situation,” Nghiem added.
At Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi needed a win to keep the pressure on Viettel, while Ha Tinh are in eighth place and have little left to play for.
In the first half, the hosts Ha Noi controlled the game but it took till five minutes before the break for them to make the breakthrough.
In the 40th minute, Hanoi's Do Hung Dung robbed midfielder Janclesio Almeida Santos' of the ball and squared for Rimario Gordon in front of goal. The Jamaican forward was dispossessed, but captain Nguyen Van Quyet was on hand to sweep the ball into the net.
In the second half, Hanoi dominated the game but were unable to make the game safe.
After 16 matches, Hanoi have 29 points, overcoming Saigon FC to rank second in the standings and only behind leaders Viettel by two points.
In other matches on Tuesday, Quang Nam beat Nam Dinh 2-0 but they are still at the bottom of the table.
Elsewhere, Hai Phong defeated Thanh Hoa 2-0 SHB Da Nang bested Song Lam Nghe An 2-0 and Quang Ninh Coal defeated Hoang Anh Gia Lai 3-1. - VNS
