Hoang Anh Gia Lai reached the quarter-finals after beating Dong Tam Long An 1-0 at the Pleiku stadium today. This is a crucial win for Hoang Anh Gia Lai after they had two first defeats in the V-League.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai had a bad start.

With manager Chatchai’s return, the hosts performed better in the game against Dong Tam Long An.

In the first half, both Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Dong Tam Long An had several chances to score. But Phan Van Santos’ shot from a free-kick in the 18^th minute and Minh Phuong’s strike in the 24^th minute were saved by Hoang Anh Gia Lai goalkeeper Tran Quoc Viet. And keeper Santos played well, saving shots by Duy Quang and Thai Duong in the 31^st and 41^st minutes.

Right after the break, with substitutes Thanh Binh and Ho Van Thuan, the hosts intensified their attacks, creating a lot of chances to open the scoring. As a result Evaldo Goncalves scored the opener in the 71^st minute, helping the hosts lead. His header from Doan Van Sadda’s wonderful cross found the net

After the goal, the visiters tried to fight back, but their shots failed to find the target. In the 90^th minute, Goncalves had a clear chance to double the score but his fire hit the crossbar. A slim victory over Dong Tam Long An will make Gia Lai’s players more confident in their next matches.

In an early match yesterday Hanoi ACB came from behind to thrash Hoa Phat 2-1. Pate Drame scored the opener for Hoa Phat in the 3^rd minute. Goran levelled the score six minutes later before Alexandre scored the winner for Hanoi ACB in the 37^th minute.

Other results:

Quang Nam - The Cong 0-1

T & T Hanoi - Military Zone-4 3-3 ( pelnaties: 2-4 )

Song Lam Nghe An - Nam Dinh 1-0

Khanh Hoa – Dong Nai 1-0

Da Nang – Dong Thap 2-1

Can Tho – Binh Duong 1-3

VietNamNet/ND