ran Gia Bao made history as the youngest player to score in V-League when he sealed Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s (HAGL) 4-0 victory over Quang Nam in their opening match of the 2024-2025 season on September 15.
Born in 2008, Gia Bao, standing at 1.75 meters and weighing 65kg, is a product of Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s youth academy. He has represented Vietnam at the U15, U16, and U17 levels. Most recently, he played for the Vietnam U16 team that defeated Uzbekistan 3-0 and Japan 1-0 at the 2024 Peace Cup in China. At just 16 years old, Gia Bao is the youngest registered player in the V-League this season.
In today’s match, held at Hoa Xuan Stadium in Da Nang—where Quang Nam is hosting their home games—Gia Bao came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute, replacing midfielder Chau Ngoc Quang. In the second minute of stoppage time, Gia Bao capitalized on a chance to beat Quang Nam goalkeeper Nguyen Van Cong. Although the referee initially flagged for offside, a VAR review overturned the decision, confirming the goal. With this, Gia Bao became the youngest goal scorer in V-League history, breaking the previous record held by Nguyen Cong Thanh, who scored for Dong Thap at the age of 17 years and 246 days in 2015.
“I’m very happy to score my first goal in the V-League. I thank my coaches and teammates for always supporting me in training and matches. This goal is a great motivation for me to keep improving,” Gia Bao said after the game.
Gia Bao’s historic moment added to a dream start for Hoang Anh Gia Lai. The visitors opened the scoring in the 4th minute when Tran Bao Toan skillfully maneuvered on the left flank and delivered a perfect cross for new signing Marciel Silva to finish emphatically into the roof of the net.
Quang Nam responded with attacking pressure and came close to equalizing in the 16th minute, but Dang Van Lam’s header was denied by the crossbar. Hoang Vu Samson and Atshimene also had opportunities, but their finishing lacked precision.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai, however, made the most of their chances. In the 45th+4 minute, from a corner, center-back Jairo rose high to flick the ball toward Ngoc Quang, who nodded it in from close range, doubling Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s lead just before halftime.
HAGL underwent a coaching reshuffle at the start of the season, with Vu Tien Thanh stepping back to the role of Technical Director, allowing assistant coach Le Quang Trai to take over as head coach. However, coach Thanh still handles the tactical decisions. This change seems to have sparked new life into the team, as they dominated in the second half. In the 51st minute, Bao Toan provided another assist, this time crossing from the right for Marciel to head in, making it 3-0.
Marciel nearly completed a hat-trick in the 64th minute when he found the net again, but his goal was ruled offside. Nonetheless, Gia Bao’s late strike in stoppage time ensured Hoang Anh Gia Lai secured a commanding 4-0 win, placing them at the top of the LP Bank V.League 1 – 2024/2025 table after the first round.
In the next round, Hoang Anh Gia Lai will host Song Lam Nghe An on September 21, while Quang Nam will visit Nam Dinh on September 23.
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