HAGL off to worst start in V. League

After the first three rounds of the 2022 V. League, HAGL drew two and lost one game. But the draws were all goalless. Plus the 0-2 defeat marked the first time that they couldn’t score after the first three rounds of V. League. They experienced tough starts in the 2009 and 2018 season, but still managed to score at least once.

In terms of points earned, HAGL had worse starts in 2012 and 2018, when they could only claim one point after three games. Their best start to date was in 2004 with seven straight wins.

In the Sunday game, coach Kiatisuk Senamuang got Covid-19 and the assistant coach had to take charge of the team. Despite fielding the best players like Washington Brandao and Nguyen Cong Phuong, HAGL failed to find the net, while SLNA pocketed three points with two goals from Pham Xuan Manh and Phan Van Duc.

This is also the 11th consecutive game in which HAGL failed to beat SLNA in the latter’s home stadium Vinh – 10 losses and one draw. The most recent win happened 12 years ago.

The goal drought came unexpectedly, considering HAGL’s form last season when they scored in eight consecutive matches and topped the table until the league got canceled due to Covid-19.