Hanoi FC secured a 2-0 victory over Ho Chi Minh City FC in the third round of the 2024-2025 V-League, with both goals coming from penalty kicks. The match, held on the evening of September 29, was marked by 10 yellow cards and two red cards.
The drama unfolded in the 89th minute when Hanoi FC launched a counter-attack. Striker Joao Pedro found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Patrick Le Giang. In a desperate attempt to prevent a goal, Ho Chi Minh City FC midfielder Doan Hai Quan fouled Pedro just outside the penalty box. Initially, referee Nguyen Van Phuc issued a straight red card and awarded a free kick. However, after a review by VAR, the decision was reversed. The red card was downgraded to a yellow, and a penalty was awarded instead. Joao Pedro stepped up to calmly slot the ball into the bottom right corner, sealing a 2-0 win for Hanoi FC.
Reflecting on the match, Hanoi FC captain Nguyen Van Quyet acknowledged the difficulty of the game but credited VAR for ensuring a fair result, saying, “It was a very tough game, but thanks to VAR, we were lucky to come away with the win.”
This match saw VAR play a significant role, being utilized frequently. In the 9th minute, Ho Chi Minh City FC midfielder Nguyen Thanh Khoi was sent off after a challenge from behind on Hanoi FC’s Van Truong. Despite Khoi’s immediate apology, referee Phuc, after consulting VAR, issued a straight red card. Playing with a numerical disadvantage, Ho Chi Minh City FC shifted into a defensive stance, while Hanoi FC struggled to break through their organized defense.
Hanoi FC’s first dangerous chance came just before halftime, in the 44th minute, when Van Truong’s powerful shot inside the box was expertly saved by Le Giang. Moments later, Ho Chi Minh City FC’s Nguyen Ha Long fouled Van Tung in the penalty area. VAR intervened once more, and the referee awarded Hanoi FC a penalty. Van Quyet confidently converted, bringing his total V-League goal tally to 116, matching the record of Le Cong Vinh. The all-time V-League top scorer remains Hoang Vu Samson, with 203 goals.
However, Hanoi FC’s fortunes shifted early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Le Van Xuan was sent off for a second yellow card after an aerial challenge. With both teams down to 10 men, Ho Chi Minh City FC began to push forward in search of an equalizer, but their offensive efforts were largely ineffective. Despite earning several free kicks around the box, they failed to capitalize, with their best chance coming in the 78th minute when Hoang Vinh Nguyen’s free kick was saved by Hanoi goalkeeper Van Hoang.
The match’s defining moment came in the 89th minute when Ho Chi Minh City FC’s failed free kick led to a swift counter-attack, culminating in the second penalty for Hanoi FC.
Following the match, Ho Chi Minh City FC’s coach, Phung Thanh Phuong, expressed his respect for VAR’s role in ensuring fairness but felt that the red card given to Thanh Khoi was harsh.
With the 2-0 victory, Hanoi FC climbed to third place in the standings with six points, while Ho Chi Minh City FC remained in seventh with four points.
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