HAGL 2-2 Dong Nai: Offense creates, defense destroys.

Despite scoring two spectacular goals and holding the 2-1 lead until the end of the 90 minutes of regular time, HAGL still couldn't secure all three points at Pleiku Stadium in Round 10 of the V-League on the afternoon of April 19th.

Up until the 90th minute, the score at Pleiku Stadium remained 2-1 in favor of the home team, and HAGL was very close to securing their third victory of the season. However, amidst the heightened excitement, the young team owned by Mr. Duc was brought back down to earth and squandered the win, conceding a goal in an incredibly easy manner.

From a cross by Dong Nai's captain, Duong Van Pho, the ball went past a series of players on both sides before reaching Hai Anh. At this point, the HAGL defense had no one marking the visiting striker, and the number 23 player easily received the ball and volleyed it into the net past goalkeeper Minh Nhut, securing a 2-2 draw in the 90+1 minute.

In the first half, HAGL also conceded a very unfortunate goal due to a personal error by goalkeeper Minh Nhựt, leading to Đồng Nai's opening goal. But compared to that goal, the second goal was far worse, because it came at a crucial moment in the match. After 10 rounds, the young players under bầu Đức's management still seem unable to overcome their inherent weakness – their lack of concentration.

Dong Nai deserved a point, but HAGL, with Hong Duy (in blue), let the victory slip away, causing disappointment. Photo: Ngoc Van.

However, if HAGL had to identify positive aspects in the 90-minute match against Dong Nai this afternoon, they could probably still be satisfied with some bright spots.

First, in the defense, center-back Dong Trieu returned and contributed significantly to the team's improved defensive solidity. This star defender from the HAGL U19 team effectively neutralized Dong Nai's most dangerous foreign player, Nsi, preventing him from creating many truly threatening situations, except for the opening goal resulting from a mistake by goalkeeper Minh Nhut in the 36th minute. The second goal, which cost HAGL the victory, also came when Dong Trieu was injured and had to leave the field, being replaced by foreign player Zdravko.

It was also Dong Trieu who created HAGL's clearest scoring opportunity in the first half, when he took a dangerous free kick that left goalkeeper Thanh Diep helpless, but the ball hit the crossbar in the 34th minute. If Dong Trieu had been a little luckier in that situation, HAGL would have scored the opening goal and perhaps even steered the game in a more favorable direction.

HAGL's midfield also showed promising signs, especially since coach Graechen moved Hong Duy from the wing to the center. This diminutive player had many neat, simple yet highly effective plays, most notably the moment he unexpectedly unleashed a powerful shot from about 25 meters, sending the ball into the far top corner of the Dong Nai goal to equalize 1-1 in the 66th minute.

Cong Phuong contributed an assist today, setting up Thanh Hau's goal. Photo: Ngoc Van.

Thanh Hau, a second-year student at the HAGL Arsenal JMG academy, thrilled the entire Pleiku stadium with a spectacular right-footed curling shot after receiving a through ball from Cong Phuong, putting the score at 2-1.

This player, born in 1997, was once listed among the top 40 most promising young talents in world football last year by The Guardian (UK). However, in HAGL's squad for this season's V-League, Thanh Hau has been quite unremarkable. Even in today's match against Dong Nai, he was booed and protested against by the home fans on several occasions. But Thanh Hau overcame those difficulties to shine, contributing a beautiful goal. It is very likely that his first career goal in the V-League will give this midfielder more confidence to play better in subsequent matches.

According to VNE