HAGL faced significant player shortages for the match. Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien and center-back Jairo Rodrigues were sidelined with injuries. Dinh Quang Kiet and Nguyen Minh Tam were suspended due to card accumulation. Key players such as Vo Dinh Lam, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, and Cao Hoang Minh started on the bench. This forced the Pleiku-based team to start 21-year-old reserve goalkeeper Dinh Phuoc Sang and field young talents Tran Gia Bao and To Minh Loc.

Midfielder Hoang Vinh Nguyen (23) vies for the ball with Nguyen Thanh Nhan (11) as HAGL hosted PVF-CAND in round 22 of V-League 2025-2026 on the afternoon of 10/5. Photo: Duc Dong

Capitalizing on HAGL's depleted squad, PVF-CAND launched relentless attacks, creating numerous dangerous opportunities. Despite their efforts, they lacked precision in front of goal. Notably, Thanh Nhan's shot in the 4th minute struck the post.

HAGL's counter-attacks were feeble, forcing them to rely on set pieces. In the 12th minute, Duy Tam's skillful free-kick from outside the box curled over the wall, striking the crossbar and post junction, leaving goalkeeper Phi Minh Long helpless.

Demonstrating their dominance, the bottom-ranked team opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Striker Mahmoud tapped in from close range following a pass from Mpande.

In the 42nd minute, a seemingly harmless aerial ball slipped through goalkeeper Phuoc Sang's hands, allowing Pham Ly Duc to tap it in from close range, doubling PVF-CAND's lead to 2-0.

Ly Duc, a former HAGL player, left to join Cong an Ha Noi this season and is currently on loan at PVF-CAND. Out of respect for his former club, he chose not to celebrate his goal.

Center-back Pham Ly Duc does not celebrate after scoring for PVF-CAND against HAGL in round 22 of V-League 2025-2026 on the afternoon of 10/5. Photo: Duc Dong

HAGL finally found a breakthrough in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time. A right-flank attack saw Ngoc Lam deliver a pass into the box, which Conceicao skillfully controlled before slotting past Minh Long in a one-on-one, reducing the deficit to 2-1 for the hosts.

HAGL dominated possession in the second half but failed to find an equalizer. Midway through the half, they made a surprising change, replacing goalkeeper Phuoc Sang with another 21-year-old, Nguyen Vu Khang.

Following the defeat, coach Le Quang Trai attributed the team's performance to recent travel and player health issues. "We regret not having our best squad available," he stated in the post-match press conference. "By this stage of the season, every team faces challenges with key players, forcing us to rely on younger talent."

Coach Quang Trai dismissed suggestions that his team intentionally conceded points. "That's absolutely not the case," he asserted. "HAGL's current points total is precarious; the gap is only 5 to 6 points, so we must continue to strive in the upcoming rounds."

The three points lifted PVF-CAND from last place to 13th with 17 points, relegating Da Nang to the bottom with 16 points. HAGL remains in 11th position with 22 points.

Duc Dong