Ahead of Saturday’s matches, Quang Nam had been rooted to the bottom two points behind second-from-bottom Nam Dinh. In order to retain their place in next year’s V.League 1, Nguyen Thanh Cong’s side would have to defeat Hai Phong with a margin of at least four goals, while expecting Nam Dinh to miss out on a win against Song Lam Nghe An.
Quang Nam came very close to realising such a thorny task by producing a three-goal lead after just 25 minutes at Hai Phong’s Lach Tray Stadium thanks to goals from Dinh Thang (2’), Huy Hung (22’) and Pinto (25’).
Hai Phong FC, who have successfully safeguarded their V.League berth, only managed a single threat in the first half with Martin Lo hitting the crossbar. However, they played better after halftime and created some opportunities to score, as Mpande and The Cuong made the woodwork.
Quang Nam were pushed into a dead end as Diego Silva made no mistake on the penalty spot to reduce the gap to 1-3 for Hai Phong with two minutes left to play.
Dinh Thanh Trung restored the visitors’ three-goal advantage shortly later, but everything turned out to be too late to them as Mpande scored seconds before the final whistle to make the score 4-2 overall.
The victory brought Quang Nam level with Nam Dinh FC on 18 points, but Nguyen Thanh Cong’s side were destined for the sole relegation ticket of the season due to their poorer goal difference (-13 vs -11).
SHB Da Nang were held 3-3 by Thanh Hoa FC in another Group B game on Saturday. Earlier on Friday, in Group A (title race), Ho Chi Minh City edged out Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-1 while Becamex Binh Duong and Hong Linh Ha Tinh played out a 1-1 draw.
Binh Dinh FC have been promoted to play in V.League 1 next season.
Also on October 31, Binh Dinh FC edged out Pho Hien FC 1-0 to win the First Division tournament (V.League 2) and secure promotion to V.League 1 next year. After 16 matchdays, Binh Dinh scored a total of 35 points, three clear of second-placed Ba Ria-Vung Tau.
