Hanoi FC force HAGL to third consecutive loss

A double by Hoang Vu Samson and a goal from Silva helped Hanoi FC emerge as the 3-0 victors over Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the third round of the 2017 V-League on January 18.

Hanoi players celebrate a goal during their third-round match with Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

After their consecutive defeats to SHB Da Nang and Hai Phong, the Gia Lai team hoped for positive results on an away match at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium; however, the reigning champions proved too strong for manager Nguyen Quoc Tuan’s side to handle.

Striker Samson produced a vigorous return from lung-related disease treatment, giving the hosts an early lead with a powerful strike by converting a head assist by teammate Gonzalo into the opener after nine minutes of play.

The Nigeria-born footballer, who gained Vietnamese citizenship in 2013, made it 2-0 for Hanoi FC three minutes after the break. Receiving a through ball from Thanh Luong, Samson dragged the ball past three Gia Lai players before beating the guests’ goalkeeper with a low ball for a second.

Hanoi’s players showed no sign of relaxing despite their two-goal advantage, pouring constant pressure on the Gia Lai side and forcing the guests to work hard for blocks.

The third goal came to Hanoi FC with Silva driving an accurate header in the 58th minute to wrap up a straight win for manager Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side.

Its three-point win against Hoang Anh Gia Lai lifted Hanoi to second in the V-League standings with six points, three points behind leaders FLC Thanh Hoa, who beat Long An 2-1 on their home field for a third victory in a row.

Meanwhile, scoring zero point after three matches, the Gia Lai team failed to break out of bottom place.

2015 champions Becamex Binh Duong thrashed XSKT Can Tho 5-1, while Ho Chi Minh City edged out Saigon FC 1-0 in their HCM City derby later the same day.

Other third-round matches’ results:

- Song Lam Nghe An 2-2 Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN

- QNK Quang Nam 1-1 SHB Da Nang

- Hai Phong 2-0 Quang Ninh Coal