Goalkeeper Dinh Trieu shone brightly, stopping HAGL at the fiery Pleiku stadium.
Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities in Round 20 of the V.League 2025/26, HAGL had to settle for a draw with Hai Phong on a day when goalkeeper Dinh Trieu delivered an outstanding performance.
The goalless draw between HAGL and Hai Phong in Round 20 of the V.League 2025/26 provided a feast of spectacular saves. With the team from Pleiku desperate for points to escape the relegation zone, the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu of the visiting team proved to be an impenetrable wall.
The visitors dominated and the home team responded.
Immediately after the opening whistle, Hai Phong proactively pushed their formation forward, creating high-pressure pressing that forced HAGL to retreat deep into defense for the first 10 minutes. However, the home team at Pleiku Stadium didn't take long to regain control of the game. In the 11th minute, Thanh Nhan issued the first warning with a dangerous shot after a favorable cross, signaling a tough day ahead for Hai Phong's defense.
The clash between the goalkeepers
Midway through the first half, the match turned into a dramatic back-and-forth battle. In the 22nd minute, Pleiku Stadium nearly celebrated a goal as HAGL had several shots inside the penalty area, but Đình Triệu's incredible reflexes denied all of the home team's efforts.
On the other side of the pitch, young goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien also showed why he is considered the future of Vietnamese football. Despite making a mistake in the 28th minute with a careless pass, Trung Kien redeemed himself in the 40th minute with a superb save after a high-quality shot from foreign player Camilo, maintaining the draw before halftime.
A stalemate in the second half and Hai Phong's resilience.
In the second half, HAGL increased the tempo in an attempt to secure three valuable points. Marciel Silva became the focal point with a powerful burst of speed in the 50th minute, breaking through the opposing defense before unleashing a decisive shot. However, Dinh Trieu once again positioned himself perfectly to comfortably catch the ball.
The period from the 60th to the 70th minute saw a fierce battle in the midfield. Both teams played cautiously, resulting in a lack of creativity in their final attacking moves. HAGL's last-ditch efforts in the 79th minute were again thwarted by Dinh Trieu's well-timed interventions and quick reflexes.
The 0-0 draw leaves HAGL stuck in 11th place in the standings after 20 rounds. Despite not securing a victory, the performances of both goalkeepers left a strong impression on the audience, showcasing a high-quality match with a strong fighting spirit.
