HAGL defeats The Cong - Viettel 2-1: a turning point in Pleiku.
Jairo Filho and Ryan Ha scored to give HAGL their first win of the season, ending The Cong - Viettel's seven-match unbeaten streak; VAR disallowed a goal in the 77th minute.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai pulled off a shocking 2-1 victory against The Cong - Viettel in Round 8 of the V-League 2025-2026 right in Pleiku. Goals from Jairo Filho and Ryan Ha secured the first three points of the season for the team from the mountainous region, simultaneously ending The Cong - Viettel's seven-match unbeaten streak. The turning point came in the 77th minute when VAR disallowed a goal by the visiting team, allowing coach Le Quang Trai's side to preserve the scoreline.
Match summary: the decisive moment and HAGL's composure.
Without needing a dominant performance, HAGL won thanks to their effectiveness in crucial moments. Jairo Filho opened the scoring, Ryan Ha doubled the lead, putting The Cong - Viettel in a chasing position. The visitors increased the tempo and seemed poised to equalize in the 77th minute, but VAR intervened and the goal was disallowed. The game then shifted in terms of time management, with HAGL maintaining their tempo and withstanding the pressure until the end.
Tactical analysis: effectiveness in crucial moments, match management.
In an evening where organization and focus were crucial, HAGL made the most of their opportunities. After taking the lead, the home team prioritized defensive solidity, minimizing risks under pressure from The Cong - Viettel. The VAR decision in the 77th minute not only changed the scoreline but also altered the team's morale, helping HAGL consolidate their play and defend the final third more effectively for the remainder of the match.
For The Cong - Viettel, their seven-match unbeaten streak showed a stable foundation, but this defeat exposed a problem with their reaction when falling behind. Without the advantage of tempo, they lacked a decisive moment to turn the game around.
Statistics and milestones
- Score: HAGL 2-1 The Cong - Viettel
- Matchday: Round 8 of V-League 2025-2026
- Stadium: Pleiku
- HAGL's goal scorers: Jairo Filho, Ryan Ha
- VAR: The Cong - Viettel's goal in the 77th minute was disallowed.
- Matches: HAGL secures their first win of the season; The Cong and Viettel's 7-match unbeaten streak comes to an end.
- Coach vs. Coach: Velizar Popov remains undefeated against HAGL after 6 encounters.
Post-match reaction
Coach Velizar Popov was taciturn, congratulating his opponents and affirming that he would rectify the mistakes, bringing to a close a disappointing night as The Cong - Viettel's unbeaten streak came to an end. On the other side, goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien admitted that luck was on his side when VAR disallowed his goal in the 77th minute, while emphasizing that fighting spirit was the differentiating factor for HAGL in this match.
Coach Le Quang Trai shared his joy but also expressed concern when center-back Dinh Quang Kiet was dazed after a head collision. He was forced to make a substitution to avoid further risks, and considered this victory a relief and a boost of confidence for the next stage.
Impact on the race and the broader picture.
With 3 points, HAGL temporarily escaped the bottom of the table and gained a morale boost to restructure for the next phase of the season. The Cong - Viettel received a reminder about the importance of turning things around when trailing, although overall they still had a positive start to the season.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Score | HAGL 2-1 The Cong - Viettel |
| Ring | Round 8 of V-League 2025-2026 |
| Turning point | VAR ruled the goal in the 77th minute. |
| Chain | HAGL wins first match; The Cong and Viettel's 7-match unbeaten streak ends. |
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