A busy day of football in East Asia has brought us the return of another footballing country: Vietnam.
The local cup has started today, with fans in attendance - a good sign of optimism for other nations.
A South Korean K-League fixture between Sangju Sangmu and Gwangju has been shadowed by a serious injury to Kim Hyo-gi, who was knocked out unconscious for a few minutes - but was quickly revived and sent for for treatment in a local hospital.
K League 1
Sangju Sangmu vs Gwangju FC
At Sangju Civic Stadium, the army team Sangmu encountered winless & goalless Gwangju. Sangju, still without five players because of the infamous car accident, beat Gwangju, the city where the Sangmu team was located in until 2011. A strike from Kang Sang-woo in the 5th minute was the only goal of the match. Both teams have hit posts several times but there was no room for another goal.
However, what really concerned fans was the collision which took place in the 82nd minute. Gwangju striker Kim Hyo-gi was knocked out after being hit hard by Hwang Byeong-geun, Sangju’s goalie. Kim went unconscious for about a minute or two, but thanks to the referee and players’ quick response and proper first aid care, Kim gained his consciousness back and was sent to hospital. VAR check was proceeded after the incident, but the final decision was clear to go.
Sangju enjoyed their second victory of the season with cheerleaders that were present on the stand and virtual fans on the screen cheered for Sangmu’s victory via Zoom. Gwangju, on the other hand, failed to get a win or a goal, once again.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings vs Incheon United
Defensively struggling Suwon hosted goalless Incheon for matchday three. Suwon have suffered from four successive losses including two AFC Champions League matches, while Incheon hadn’t conceded a single goal but also was still eyeing for the first goal of the season.
Incheon’s head coach again made a very defensive approach as he did in the last two matches, but his plan was ruined in the 20th minute as Nigerian striker Lanre Kehinde was forced to be substituted due to a possible ACL injury. It was a huge blow for Incheon, as Kehinde has ability to keep the ball and win duels in the front field.
Adam Taggart could’ve named himself on the scoresheet in the 31st minute but his shot gazed Incheon’s goalkeeper Jung San and hit the left post.
Eventually, Suwon grabbed the lead in the middle of second half. Kim Min-woo was fouled by Moon Ji-hwan in the box and earned a penalty. It was clear that Moon waws holding Kim’s shirt even from the fans’ view. Captain Yeom Ki-hoon stepped forward to take it and sent Jung San the wrong way. 1-0
The game winner in the 60th minute was enough for Suwon to enjoy their first victory. Even Jung San went out in Incheon’s last free kick chance, but it wasn’t a huge help. Suwon finally won a match, but Incheon now are in situation where they have to worry about their winless run.
Vietnam Cup
Nam Dinh vs Hoang Anh Gia Lai
While K League provided its utmost entertainment to fans at home, another Asian country has brought its football back to home, but with spectators. Vietnamese football resumed with Nam Dinh and Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s Vietnamese Cup clash.
Although the federation allowed fans to enter the stadium, there were certain restrictions applied. Only 10,000 tickets were available, and fans had to wear masks and use hand sanitizers before entering the pitch. People waited in line to purchase the ticket and all tickets were sold out, which was as expected considering how Vietnamese people are passionate about football.
HAGL have more current Vietnamese internationals in the squad than the opponent but despite that, the game was mostly oriented by Nam Dinh, the hosts. Brazilian striker Rafaelson scored first with a header receiving Nguyen Dinh Manh’s fine cross from the left flank in the 43rd minute.
Nam Dinh’s second goal, which came in at the 63rd-minute mark was a true beauty. 21-year-old youngster Mai Xuan Quyet connected Le Sy Minh’s cheeky back heel to a goal at his first touch. HAGL eyed for at least a goal with the effort from current Golden Dragon members Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy and Vu Van Thanh, but just couldn’t quite get there.
With Vietnam national team head coach Park Hang-seo and assistant coach Lee Young-jin being present in the stand, Nam Dinh players proved themselves in front of him that they are decent enough to be capped. Since the Vietnamese Cup is played in a single-legged format, Nam Dinh advanced to the Round of 16 and will meet Than Quang Ninh on May 30th.
Other Results:
K League 1
Gangwon FC 1-1 Seongnam FC
K League 2
Jeju United 2-3 Daejeon Hana Citizen
Ansan Greeners 0-2 Bucheon FC 1995
