HAGL defeated The Cong - Viettel 2-1: turning point in Pleiku
Jairo Filho and Ryan Ha scored to bring HAGL the first win of the season, ending The Cong - Viettel's 7-match unbeaten streak; VAR rejected the goal in the 77th minute.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai shockingly beat The Cong - Viettel 2-1 in round 8 of V-League 2025-2026 right in Pleiku. Two goals by Jairo Filho and Ryan Ha brought the first 3 points this season for the team from the mountain town, at the same time ending the 7-match unbeaten streak of The Cong - Viettel. The turning point came in the 77th minute when VAR disallowed a goal that scored against HAGL by the away team, helping coach Le Quang Trai and his team maintain the score.
Development: decisive moment and HAGL's composure
Without needing to dominate the game, HAGL won thanks to efficiency in important moments. Jairo Filho opened the scoring, Ryan Ha doubled the gap, putting The Cong - Viettel in a chase. The away team increased the tempo and seemed to equalize in the 77th minute, but VAR intervened and the goal was not recognized. The situation then turned to time management, where HAGL kept the rhythm and endured the pressure until the end of the match.
Tactical analysis: big-time effectiveness, match management
On a night where organization and concentration decided the outcome, HAGL made the most of their opportunities. After taking the lead, the home team prioritized compactness, minimizing risks under pressure from The Cong - Viettel. VAR's decision in the 77th minute not only changed the scoreboard but also changed the psychological momentum, helping HAGL consolidate their playing block and protect the final third more effectively in the remaining time.
For The Cong - Viettel, the 7-match unbeaten streak shows a stable foundation, but this loss exposed the problem of reacting when falling behind. When they no longer have the advantage of tempo, they lack a sharp enough finishing moment to turn the match around.
Notable statistics and milestones
- Score: HAGL 2-1 The Cong - Viettel
- Round: Round 8 V-League 2025-2026
- Stadium: Pleiku
- HAGL scorers: Jairo Filho, Ryan Ha
- VAR: Rejected The Cong - Viettel's goal in the 77th minute
- Chain: HAGL has first win this season; The Cong - Viettel breaks 7-match unbeaten streak
- Coach confrontation: Velizar Popov still hasn't won against HAGL after 6 encounters
Post-match reactions
Coach Velizar Popov was tight-lipped, congratulating his opponent and affirming that he would correct his mistakes, ending a disappointing night when The Cong - Viettel's unbeaten streak stopped. On the other side, goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien admitted that luck smiled on him when VAR did not recognize the goal in the 77th minute, while emphasizing that fighting spirit was the difference of HAGL in this match.
Coach Le Quang Trai shared his joy but also expressed his concern when center back Dinh Quang Kiet was stunned after a head collision. He was forced to make a substitution to avoid risks, and at the same time considered this a victory that relieved the situation and increased his confidence for the next stage.
Impact on the race and the bigger picture
With 3 points, HAGL temporarily escaped the bottom position and have a mental foundation to restructure the next stage of the season. The Cong - Viettel received a reminder about the ability to turn around when falling behind, although overall they still have a positive opening streak.
| Index | Value |
|---|---|
| Score | HAGL 2-1 The Cong - Viettel |
| Ring | Round 8 V-League 2025-2026 |
| Turning Point | VAR rejected the goal in the 77th minute. |
| Chain | HAGL wins first; The Cong - Viettel breaks 7-match unbeaten streak |
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