HAGL shares points with Khanh Hoa due to controversial penalty

Xuan Binh• May 6, 2018 22:29

Xuan Truong scored a great goal but the home team managed to score the equalizer to tie the score 1-1 in round 7 of V-League 2018 on the afternoon of May 6.

Goals: Van Vu 88' penalty, Xuan Truong 71'

It seemed like HAGL would have their third win since the beginning of the season when they led 1-0 until the 88th minute, but the penalty that followed shattered the visitors' dreams. In the situation of joining the attack, center-back Zazour Chaher jumped up to head the ball but missed, before being blocked by A Hoang. Referee Nguyen Van Kien immediately pointed to the penalty spot, from a favorable viewing angle.

Slow motion shows that the impact from HAGL defender on Chaher is unclear. However, the French defender asked the referee to give A Hoang a red card. At a distance of 11 meters, defender Tran Van Vu made no mistake, knocking down goalkeeper Pham Van Tien.

Despite the strong reaction of HAGL players, the draw was considered a fair result given the situation. Khanh Hoa even played better throughout the 90 minutes, with many opportunities coming from beautiful passing situations. In the 9th minute, Nguyen Tan Tai forced goalkeeper Van Tien to work hard with a volley into the near corner. The ball then hit the away team's post once from Chaher's header, even though he was offside.

However, the most notable situation in the first half did not take place on the field, when a deputy coach of Khanh Hoa had a conflict with a doctor of HAGL, causing both to be sent to the stands.

HAGL đánh rơi chiến thắng phút cuối ở vòng bảy V-League.

HAGL dropped the victory at the last minute.

The tension of the match increased in the second half, when both teams continuously played tit for tat. However, the home team was still more dangerous every time they attacked, with the focus on main striker Youssouf Toure. In the 65th minute, the French striker was given a chance from less than 10 meters away, but his shot was off target.

After a series of wasted opportunities, Khanh Hoa had to pay the price when HAGL unexpectedly opened the score in the 71st minute. Captain Luong Xuan Truong kicked the ball from a distance with his front foot, hitting the post and flying into the net, leaving goalkeeper Nguyen Tuan Manh helpless.

The rule of “attacking a lot without scoring will be punished” was applied to Khanh Hoa. Facing the risk of losing the first match at 19/8 Stadium this season, the home team pressed forward and was rewarded with a penalty. However, the situation of referee Van Kien blowing the penalty will still be debated in the coming days.

Xuan Binh