Thanh Tung secures victory for HA.GL

Thanh Tung lit up Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HA.GL)’s hopes to avoid relegation after scoring two goals in his team’s surprising 2-1 victory over reigning champions Becamex Binh Duong at Pleiku Stadium on July 19.

Thanh Tung (in blue) scored a double in HA.GL’s 2-1 victory on Sunday.

Ahead of the match, HA.GL had been experiencing a disappointing 11-game losing streak and joined Dong Nai at the bottom of the ladder with ten points each.

Few had thought of a positive result for the home side, especially when striker Le Cong Vinh secured guests Becamex Binh Duong an early lead with a strike towards the far corner of the goal after just two minutes of play.

The remainder of the match, however, witnessed several surprises created by HA.GL players. Thanh Tung equalised the score with a close-range shot in the 26th minute, boosting the host team’s spirit and confidence.

Seven minutes after half-time, Thanh Tung went on to yet again have home fans on their feet with his second goal - a decisive volley from close range that left no chance for goalkeeper Thien Esele to block.

The spectacular victory quenched HA.GL’s long-lasting thirst for victory and helped them to earn three crucial points needed to avoid being placed in the the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, this unexpected loss dealt a big blow to Binh Duong’s hopes to regain the top-spot position taken by FLC Thanh Hoa in the previous round.

The other matches saw Song Lam Nghe An and Hanoi T&T beat Quang Ninh Coal and XSKT Can Tho by the same score of 3-1; SHB Da Nang, Dong Tam Long An and Hai Phong overcome Dong Nai, Thanh Hoa and Dong Thap by the same score of 2-1; and Sanna Khanh Hoa edge out QNK Quang Nam 1-0.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)