At 9h30 on June 30, 2012, in Long Ho Stadium – Vinh Long took place the final match between two teams – South Tien River Agency and South Hau River Agency.
Before the match, commentators highly valued this match. In terms of force, both have excellent players with consistent quality between sections. Players have known each other well because they have played side by side in ANCO Vinh Long team for many years. Therefore, in this decisive match, the team which takes advantage of opportunities will win.
Both teams lacked important positions. South Tien River Team lacked libero Thi Em (Number 2), striker Quoc Cuong (Number 9). They were two important players in the tactic of Coach Ly Van Nhan. The force of South Hau River Team was “dented” seriously with the absence of Captain Luong Van Phong (Number 10). The player suffered knee ligament injury and became an unwanted viewer.
Players of both teams in the final match
After the whistle of the referee, both teams rushed to attack each other so the match was sped up.
In the first half, South Tien River Team with the tactic outline 4-5-1 for tight defense and quick counter-attack could not impose the play on South Hau River Team. Meanwhile, South Tien River Team with the lack of experienced defender Thi Em had to struggle hard against continuing attacks of South Hau River Team. During the first 15 minutes of the first half, the game was nearly one-sided on the ground of South Tien River Team.
At minute 20, from a storming attack of the strike number 20, he dribbled through defender number 4 Tuan An and passed the ball across the goal, beyond the reach of goal keeper Thanh Binh of South Tien River Team but regretfully, the shot of the striker number 11 Do Thanh Phong found the horizontal bar, bounced back and South Tien River goal keeper quickly grabbed the ball.
Recognizing the opponent’s weakness, Coach Nguyen Van Ut (Hau) of South Hau River Team directed his players to dig into the right wing of the opponent.
The tactic brought obvious result with the advantage of most players being young, robust and enthusiastic, boldly keeping the ball for breakthrough and shooting from far away whenever possible.
From minute 20 until the end of the first half, South Tien River Team just gathered to fight against continuing attackes of the opponent’s strikers. At minute 35 of the first half, number 23 Quang Trung shot from outside 16m50 area, the ball touched the A-shaped corner of the goal then went out in the regret of South Hau River Team supporters.
At minute 40, striker Thanh Phong (number 20 - South Hau River Team) made a bold breakthrough and passed the ball to Tien Loi (number 19 - South Hau River Team) who got the ball into the net but he was found offside by the referee.
South Hau River Team entirely took the upper hand but they were only good at the middle field area and could not create more dangerous opportunities towards South Tien River Team. Although South Hau River Team players were predominant, they lacked the daring and coldness in final situations to score.
The first half ended without any goal for both teams.
In the second half, the match was attractive. Coach Ly Van Nhan daringly changed the tactic and turned the outline from 4-5-1 into 4-4-2, bringing Nhut Truong (number 16) from midfielder to striker position. The adjustment made the play of South Tien River Team smoother.
At minute 48, striker Thanh Phuong (number 11- South Tien River Team) accelerated to exclude South Hau River Team defender and gave a wonderful pass to Nhut Truong (number 16) who comfortably shot in the penalty area but South Hau River Team goal keeper was excellent to deny the chance.
South Tien River Team had a substitution, Hau Dan (number 12) entered to replace Thanh Phuong. Both teams continuously were tit for tat.
At minute 50, Thanh Phong (number 11- South Hau River Team) had a chance to shoot strongly near the goal but goal keeper Thanh Binh – South Tien River Team reacted superbly.
At minute 53, “Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”. At last South Tien River Team could score and the scorer was defender Tan Khoe (number 33) who did not perform well in the first half. Tan Khoe’s shot was not too strong but because South Hau River Team had to suffer a goal because its goal keeper’s vision was hidden. The score was 1-0, temporarily in favour of South Tien River Team.
At minute 60, South Hau River Team replied with a wonderful shot from far of Thanh Phong (number 20 – South Hau River Team) which narrowly missed the goal of South Tien River Team. The football philosophy was proved once again, those who attacked much but did not score would pay the price.
At minute 62, “Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!”, 2-0 for South Tien River Team. Player Tuan An (number 4 - South Tien River Team) had a smart through ball for Hau Dan (number 12) to sneak in and made a shot to the far corner, the second time finding the net of South Hau River Team.
At minute 85, Thanh Phong (number 11- South Hau River Team) had a technical shot, bringing the ball to the vertical bar of South Tien River Team. Very regretful for South Hau River Team, the ball went out. South Hau River Team coach scratched his head when his players failed to make use of any opportunities which one by one passed through the shop tips of strikers. Certainly, he was missing Luong Van Phong, the one who never ignored such opportunities.
Ending the match, South Tien River Team won 2-0
At the prize awarding ceremony, Mr. Le Gia Bao, ANCO Vinh Long Sales Director awarded prizes to the following winning teams:
First prize: Cup, medals, commemorative flag and 10,000,000 VND for South Tien River Agency Team.
Second prize: 5,000,000 VND for South Tien River Sales Team
Fair Play prize: 2,000,000 VND for South Hau River Sales Team
Best Player prize: 500,000 VND for Thanh Binh – South Tien River Agency Team
South Tien River Agency Team wins championship of
ANCO VINH LONG 2012 football tournament
Mr. Le Gia Bao – Head of Organizing Board of ANCO VINH LONG 2012 football tournament thanked everybody who had overcome difficulties, arranged their jobs to participate all matches. Matches took place on the basis of solidarity, friendship and enthusiastic support of the audience.
Mr. Banh Duc Thang, Manager of South Tien River Team, on behalf of two teams South Tien River Agency and South Hau River Agency, thanked ANCO for organizing this tournament, facilitating agencies in the Southwest region to exchange and learn from each other. This is a suitable playground for the health of everybody. It is hoped that ANCO will hold these annual tournaments regularly.
ANCO VINH LONG 2012 Football Tournament successfully ended.