HAGL drew 1-1 with Thanh Hoa: Dinh Quang Kiet scored the first goal.

In the 90+10th minute in Pleiku, when HAGL was very close to defeat, Dinh Quang Kiet rose high to head the ball in, equalizing the score at 1-1 against Thanh Hoa in the 11th round of the V.League. It was the first professional goal for the 2007-born, 1.95m tall central defender, and a significant point for the team from Pleiku in their fight against relegation.

The 90+10th minute: a header saves the day.

As the match drew to a close with Thanh Hoa holding the lead, HAGL launched a full-scale attack. In a final play, Quang Kiet positioned himself perfectly, leaped, and headed the ball into the net. This goal in the 10th minute of added time in the second half not only leveled the score at 1-1 but also rekindled HAGL's spirits amidst the pressure of avoiding relegation.

HAGL's performance and mindset

HAGL endured a difficult first half. But after the break, the team from Pleiku City tenaciously chased the game, refusing to give up and maintaining their pressing tempo until the end. The final score in the 90+10th minute was a reward for that persistent mental effort.

Statement by Dinh Quang Kiet

"This was my first goal in the V.League, and I will certainly never forget it. It motivates me to try harder and contribute to HAGL in the upcoming matches."

"We aimed to win, but luck was on our side as the whole team didn't give up and were rewarded in the final minutes."

"This goal gives me more confidence to strive, learn, and hopefully have the opportunity to wear the Vietnam U22 jersey."

Tactical perspective: height of 1.95m and value in aerial duels.

In a deadlock situation, aerial attacks become key. With his height of 1.95m, Quang Kiệt provides a clear advantage in aerial duels. The 90+10 situation perfectly reflects that value: positioning, timing of the jump, and decisive finishing. For a young center-back, the ability to make a difference in both penalty areas is a tactical detail HAGL can continue to exploit.

Impact: A valuable point and a stepping stone for Vietnam U22.

Quang Kiet's equalizer helped HAGL salvage a point, crucial psychologically in the tense relegation battle. For the player, who came through the HAGL JMG academy, the goal in Pleiku could be a turning point, boosting his confidence at the right time. His goal of participating in the SEA Games 33 with the Vietnam U22 team is a clear motivation for the road ahead.

Selective statistics

• Tournament: V.League, Round 11.
• Score: HAGL 1-1 Thanh Hóa.
• Time of equalizer: 90+10th minute.
• Dinh Quang Kiet: his first V.League goal of his career.
• Year of birth and physique: 2007, height 1.95m.

The broader picture of HAGL

As the season enters a high-pressure phase, explosive moments like Quang Kiet's mean more than just one point. They bolster internal confidence, enhance the team's aerial game options, and create an unexpected attacking threat from the center-back position. With his academy background and experience in intense matches, the young HAGL player is taking his first, but sure, steps in the V.League.