Pleiku, April 27, 2025 – Hoang Anh Gia Lai overcame back-to-back losses and heavy sanctions to edge Hai Phong FC 1-0 in Round 20 of the V-League 2024-2025 at Pleiku Stadium on April 27, thanks to a late Brandao strike. The victory, despite missing key personnel, lifted Hoang Anh Gia Lai above Hai Phong FC into eighth place.
Team manager Nguyen Tan Anh and technical director Vu Tien Thanh were banned from the sidelines, forced to watch from the stands after fines for referee abuse following a Round 19 loss to Hong Linh Ha Tinh. Injuries sidelined Chau Ngoc Quang and Dung Quang Nho, who started on the bench, while 18-year-old center-back Dinh Quang Kiet made his fourth consecutive start, showcasing Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s youth pipeline, akin to Song Lam Nghe An’s academies.
Hai Phong FC, in fine form with four wins, one draw, and one loss in six, missed goalkeeper Nguyen Dinh Trieu due to injury, relying on Tran Van Toan. Hoang Anh Gia Lai controlled the first half, but squandered chances. Marciel fired over in the 9th minute, Tran Minh Vuong slipped on two close-range efforts, and Brandao’s narrow-angle shot was smothered by Van Toan. Hai Phong FC countered sparingly, nearly earning a penalty in the 13th minute when Huu Son’s shot struck Jairo Filho’s arm. After a three-minute VAR review, referee Hoang Ngoc Nga overturned the call, sparking relief among Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s 8,000 fans, rivaling Hanoi Police FC’s fervor.
The second half saw Quang Nho and Ngoc Quang subbed on, but Hoang Anh Gia Lai struggled to create, mirroring Hai Phong FC’s blunt attack. The decisive moment came in the 85th minute. Substitute Cao Hoang Minh, a 22-year-old replacing Minh Vuong, surged down the left and unleashed a fierce shot. Van Toan parried, but Brandao pounced on the rebound, netting the winner, his fifth goal this season, per V.League stats.
“It was a tense, evenly fought match, and we seized our chance,” Hoang Minh said post-match. “As a young player, I’m learning from veterans like Minh Vuong and strive to give my all.” The win gives Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hai Phong FC 24 points each, with Hoang Anh Gia Lai eighth on goal difference. Next, Hoang Anh Gia Lai face Binh Dinh FC away, while Hai Phong FC host Song Lam Nghe An at Lach Tray in Round 21, aiming to regain momentum like The Cong Viettel’s recent surge.
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