Dramatic comeback, Hong Linh Ha Tinh club successfully stays in the league

On the afternoon of July 6, at Hang Day Stadium (Hanoi), the play-off match for a ticket to play in V-League 2024/25 between Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club and PVF-Cong An Nhan Dan Club took place.

Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club could not escape in the final round of V-League 2023/24. In the context of both Song Lam Nghe An winning against The Cong Viettel and LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai winning against Hai Phong, Ha Tinh's draw against Thanh Hoa team in the final round pushed coach Nguyen Thanh Cong and his team down to 13th place.

On the other hand, PVF-Cong An Nhan Dan has shown its potential by finishing second in the 2023/24 first division, just behind champions Da Nang. Coach Mauro Jeronimo's team won the competition with Binh Phuoc to secure a play-off ticket.

Both teams entered the match with high determination, however, PVF-Cong An Nhan Dan players were the better team, coach Mauro Jeronimo's students controlled the ball and created more opportunities. Meanwhile, Hong Linh Ha Tinh players played deadlocked, and did not create any notable attacking situations.

After many missed shots, in the 28th minute of the match, PVF-Cong An Nhan Club scored a goal to take the lead. From the corner kick, Thanh Nhan crossed the ball to the far post for Hieu Minh to comfortably head the ball into the net of Hong Linh Ha Tinh goalkeeper Thanh Tung.

After conceding a goal, coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's students pressed forward to attack, however Hong Linh Ha Tinh's counter-attacks were ineffective.

Not yet having an equalizer, Ha Tinh was also at a disadvantage when an important player, striker Quang Nam, had to leave the field due to injury. The first half ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of PVF-Cong An Nhan Dan club.

In the second half, coach Nguyen Thanh Cong made a change in personnel, he strengthened the attack to find an equalizer. That brought about results, when in the 50th minute of the match, midfielder Trong Hoang launched a decisive right-footed shot, bringing the match back to balance.

After scoring the equalizer, Hong Linh Ha Tinh players played more confidently and created many dangerous situations. In the 69th minute of the match, after a chaotic situation in the penalty area, Xuan Bac fouled Vikto Le. The referee awarded Hong Linh Ha Tinh a penalty kick. At the 11m mark, Dinh Tien calmly defeated goalkeeper Phi Minh Long, raising the score to 2-1 for the away team.

In the following minutes, Trong Hoang and his teammates showed their bravery and experience, controlling the ball better and creating many significant dangerous opportunities. In the 83rd minute, from a quick counter-attack, Van Nhuan rushed down in a face-to-face situation and raised the score to 3-1 for Hong Linh Ha Tinh.

In the final minutes of the match, PVF-Cong An Nhan Dan players attacked to find an equalizer. In the third minute of extra time, Le Minh Binh reduced the score to 2-3. However, that was all PVF-Cong An Nhan Dan could do. The referee then blew the whistle to end the match, Hong Linh Ha Tinh Club officially stayed in V-League 1./.