PVF-CAND drew 2-2 with The Cong Viettel, delayed due to G-Dragon.
Accidents on Thanh Tri Bridge and G-Dragon's concert caused the PVF-CAND – The Cong Viettel match to be postponed to 19:00; Hoang Vu Samson leveled the score at 2-2 in the 90+7th minute after the visiting team took the lead.
In the 7th minute of added time, Hoang Vu Samson scored, securing a 2-2 draw for PVF-CAND in an evening where the opening whistle was delayed by an hour due to traffic congestion caused by an accident on Thanh Tri Bridge, compounded by the increased traffic volume from G-Dragon's concert. The match was moved to 7:00 PM after the organizers and both teams agreed to ensure fair playing conditions.
The match was postponed due to an accident and G-Dragon's concert.
Coach Velizar Popov's team departed from their base in Hoa Lac (Hanoi) at 2 PM to travel to Hung Yen. However, the convoy was stuck for hours on Thanh Tri Bridge due to a traffic accident, compounded by a sudden surge in traffic caused by G-Dragon's concert, which overloaded the route.
At 5:45 PM, 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, The Cong Viettel had still not arrived. The home team, PVF-CAND, had gone out to warm up but were forced to return to the locker room to wait for their opponents. After an agreement between the organizers and the two teams, the match was postponed to 7:00 PM the same day to ensure adequate physical fitness and preparation.
Although unusual, this flexible decision ensured the match still took place on the scheduled date, upholding the fairness and professionalism of the V-League.
Key events: taking the lead, a comeback, and a breathtaking 90+7th minute.
On the field, PVF-CAND quickly gained an advantage when Amarildo opened the scoring in the 20th minute. The resilience of a V-League championship contender helped The Cong Viettel come back with goals from Kyle Colonna and Khuat Van Khang.
The drama intensified in the final minutes. Just when it seemed that coach Velizar Popov's team could leave the field with 3 points, Hoang Vu Samson appeared at the right moment in the 7th minute of added time (90+7), securing a 2-2 draw for PVF-CAND.
The preparation rhythm was disrupted, and true character was put to the test.
Postponing a match often leads to changes in the players' warm-up, nutrition, and mental state. The visiting team has to travel long distances and faces uncertainty about their arrival time; the home team warms up and then stops, waiting for their opponent. In this context, the ability to manage energy and maintain focus becomes crucial.
Viettel Sports Team showed their adaptability by quickly regaining their rhythm and scoring two goals to take the lead. But PVF-CAND also demonstrated their physical fitness and fighting spirit, evidenced by Hoang Vu Samson's finish in the 90+7 minute.
Notable milestones
- 14:00: The Viettel Sports team departs from Hoa Lac (Hanoi) to Hung Yen.
- Traffic jams lasted for hours on Thanh Tri Bridge due to an accident and increased traffic volume because of G-Dragon's concert.
- 17:45: The visiting team has not yet arrived at the stadium; PVF-CAND has to temporarily stop warming up.
- 19:00: The match is postponed and begins.
- 20': Amarildo opens the scoring, making it 1-0 for PVF-CAND.
- Kyle Colonna and Khuất Văn Khang scored to give Thể Công Viettel the lead.
- 90+7: Hoang Vu Samson equalizes the score at 2-2 for PVF-CAND.
Impact and findings
An unexpected traffic incident forced a schedule adjustment, but the timely response ensured the match remained complete in terms of professionalism and organization. From taking the lead to being overturned and then salvaging a point in the 90+7th minute, PVF-CAND showed their resilience. For The Cong Viettel, the ability to overcome difficult travel conditions to control the game and convert opportunities into goals remains a valuable asset in their V-League campaign.
