Vinh, 15 June, 2025 – Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds of the 2024–2025 V.League 1 season, coming from two goals down and playing with 10 men to defeat Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) 3-2, officially securing their top-flight status with one round remaining.
Missing captain and key striker Michael Olaha due to suspension, SLNA’s troubles deepened early at Vinh Stadium. In the 14th minute, Washington Brandao pounced on a loose ball in the box to give HAGL the lead. Things got worse for the hosts in the 26th minute when goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet was sent off for a handball outside the box following a VAR review, reducing SLNA to 10 men.
Despite being a man down, SLNA refused to back down and continued to press forward. They nearly equalized before halftime through efforts from Ho Khac Ngoc and Ngo Van Luong, but were punished again in the 45th minute. Brandao finished off a quick attack from close range to double HAGL’s advantage. Just before the break, the Brazilian forward missed a golden opportunity for a hat-trick, firing wide with an open goal, a moment that would later prove pivotal.
In the second half, SLNA introduced Tran Manh Quynh and Tran Nam Hai to inject fresh energy. The changes paid off immediately. In the 53rd minute, after a slick triangle passing move involving Manh Quynh and Benjamin Kuku, Nguyen Quang Vinh curled in a beautiful strike from 25 meters to make it 1-2. Only three minutes later, Manh Quynh timed his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, leveling the match 2-2.
HAGL responded but failed to capitalize on their chances. Brandao headed just wide in the 73rd minute, and Nguyen Thanh Nhan struck the crossbar two minutes later.
Then came the moment of glory for the home team. In the 85th minute, Khac Ngoc delivered a precise free-kick from the right flank, and substitute Eduardo Zaracho was on hand at the far post to tap in the winner, completing a sensational comeback. Players embraced in celebration, while the Vinh Stadium crowd erupted in jubilation.
With this result, SLNA moved to 26 points—four ahead of Da Nang and five ahead of bottom-placed Binh Dinh—ensuring their safety regardless of the outcome in the final round.
Elsewhere, Da Nang fought back from 0-2 to draw 2-2 with Hong Linh Ha Tinh, keeping their hopes alive. However, they remain in 13th place and face a must-win clash against SLNA in the final round, while hoping for a Binh Dinh slip-up.
Binh Dinh, now in a precarious position, must beat Hanoi FC and hope Da Nang fails to win in order to secure a play-off berth against the V.League 2 runners-up.
Meanwhile, Quang Nam (25 points) is also technically within reach but holds a significant goal difference advantage over Da Nang. Even with a loss to HAGL, Quang Nam is unlikely to drop to the relegation zone.
According to V.League rules, rankings are determined first by points, then head-to-head results, goal difference, goals scored, fair play points, and ultimately drawing lots. Quang Nam and Da Nang are tied on head-to-head, but Quang Nam’s -9 goal difference and 24 goals scored are far better than Da Nang’s -19 and 22 goals—making a last-day upset highly improbable.
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