Alongside the absence of Dinh Trong (injury) and Duy Manh (suspension), Hanoi manager Chu Dinh Nghiem decided to bench a series of first team players, including Hoang Vu Samson, Quang Hai, Duc Huy and Thanh Luong, during their matchday 13 meeting at Hang Day Stadium.
Despite doing so, the capital team still dominated the match and came close to opening the scoring a number of times, with Pape Omar and captain Van Quyet striking over the crossbar in the 2nd and 23rdminutes.
After a slow start, Saigon FC produced their first threat to the Hanoi goal 10 minutes from half-time, as Quoc Long fired a powerful shot to force keeper Van Cong to make a brilliant save.
The two teams' players in action during the match. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
In the second half, Hanoi FC maintained their dominance and pushed harder to break the deadlock. It was not until the 59th minute that the home side’s efforts were compensated, with Hung Dung heading home the rebound for the opener after Oseni’s angled shot was parried by goalie Van Phong.
The guests threatened to equalise the score in the 82nd minute with a curler by Huu Son that was stopped by keeper Van Cong. Hanoi FC responded immediately after, with Hoang Vu Samson successfully breaking through Saigon’s defence but then failing to beat goalie Van Phong to double their advantage.
Nonetheless, Chu Dinh Nghiem’s troops eventually managed to earn a second goal three minutes into stoppage-time thanks to Oseni’s attempt.
With the convincing victory, Hanoi FC temporarily reduced their gap with leaders Ho Chi Minh City by only one point, but the latter could still restore their four-point lead at the top by beating Thanh Hoa FC on home field this Saturday.
Veteran striker Nguyen Anh Duc (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal for Becamex Binh Duong
In another match on the same day, Becamex Binh Duong edged out second-from-bottom Quang Nam FC 2-1 to climb to fifth place in the table with 18 points. Veteran striker Nguyen Anh Duc opened the scoring for the guests after six minutes, before Wander Luiz doubled their advantage two minutes from the hour mark. Ha Minh Tuan managed to score a consolation for Quang Nam with a few minutes left to play.
