Goal: Elisio Batista 58'.
Red card: Cao Van Binh 90+2.
HAGL was largely outplayed at Vinh Stadium, holding only 32% possession and taking 6 shots compared to the hosts' 16. However, the visitors achieved the most crucial objectives: scoring and keeping a clean sheet.
In the 58th minute, Elisio Batista scored for HAGL with an unexpected turn and shot from outside the penalty area, finding the net against SLNA. Batista, born in 1993 and originally from Brazil, previously played for CLB Alvarenga in Portugal. He joined HAGL in february and has scored vital goals, including one in last month's victory over Nam Dinh.
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Goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien during HAGL's 1-0 win over SLNA in round 21 of V-League 2025-2026 on the evening of 3/5. *Photo: PVF*
Tran Trung Kien emerged as HAGL's most outstanding player. In the first half, the Vietnam U23 goalkeeper made two quick dives to deny scoring chances from Dale Moore and Le Nguyen Hoang. The climax of his performance came in the 9th minute of second-half stoppage time: after Michael Olaha headed a high ball from a tight angle inside the box, Kien pushed it away. The ball then bounced precariously in front of the penalty area, leading to a close-range shot from an SLNA player, but the HAGL goalkeeper once again used his foot to block it on the goal line.
Kien's heroic saves ensured HAGL maintained their 1-0 lead, securing 22 points after 21 rounds. This victory propelled them to 10th place, extending their lead over bottom-placed Da Nang to 9 points.
"We played bravely in this match", Kien stated afterwards. "Of course, I also had some fortunate moments; that is part of football. This win is very important, giving us a more relaxed mindset in the relegation battle. Our immediate goal is PVF-CNAD in round 22".
Conversely, SLNA goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, Kien's teammate on the Vietnam U23 squad, received a red card in the second minute of stoppage time for rushing out of the penalty area to impede an HAGL player. With no substitutions left, midfielder Phan Ba Quyen had to step in as an emergency goalkeeper for SLNA during the final minutes.
This defeat means the Nghe An-based team cannot yet guarantee their V-League survival. With 24 points, they currently sit in 8th place and must await the next round to determine their fate.
Kien, originally from Hung Yen, was born and raised in Pleiku, Gia Lai, in a family without a sports background. He joined the HAGL training academy at 11 years old.
Kien's career trajectory began when he helped the HAGL youth team win the U21 National Championship for the first time in 2024. At the national team level, coach Kim Sang-sik called him up, and he was part of the squad that won the 2024 ASEAN Cup as the third-choice goalkeeper. He later became a key player in Vietnam's victories at the 2024 U23 Southeast Asian Championship, securing a gold medal at SEA Games 33, and a third-place finish at the 2026 U23 Southeast Asian Championship.
Duc Dong
