09:07, 26/07/2019

Khanh Hoa successfully defends National Beach Football championship title

Khanh Hoa team sensationally came from 3-1 down against Da Nang in the final of the 2019 National Beach Football Championship to draw 3-3 and claimed a well-deserve victory in the penalty shootout. This was the second title of Khanh Hoa's beach football team in succession.  
 

Khanh Hoa team sensationally came from 3-1 down against Da Nang in the final of the 2019 National Beach Football Championship to draw 3-3 and claimed a well-deserve victory in the penalty shootout. This was the second title of Khanh Hoa’s beach football team in succession.  
 
 
The final game between the host Khanh Hoa and Da Nang was played attractively and dramatically. Khanh Hoa and Da Nang were the two teams who have many quality players in Vietnam who were often selected to play for the national beach football team at the regional and continental competitions. Therefore, their clash was expected to be an exciting one. 

 

Khanh Hoa and Da Nang playing final game
Khanh Hoa and Da Nang playing final game
 
It was obvious that Da Nang played better most of the time. They controlled the match and caused many troubles to the team of coach Le Van Tu. Da Nang took the lead in the first and also second half of the regulation time. Khanh Hoa was down 1-3 with only two minutes of the third half remaining. It was looking very unlikely that Khanh Hoa could defend their title with two goals conceded while the match was going to an end. However, the players of Khanh Hoa went on to surprise everyone.

 

Khanh Hoa players celebrating their goal
Khanh Hoa players celebrating their goal
 
The host came back, playing with high determination and scoring 2 goals in just about two minutes, which brought the score level to 3-3 at full-time. In beach football, if the scored is tied in the regulation time, extra time of three minutes will be played.  Da Nang once again took the lead thanks to the goal scored by Quoc Hung, but Khanh Hoa amazingly equalized again with just seconds left. The game went to penalties, which was won by Khanh Hoa. 
 
 
Khanh Hoa fans cheering their team’s victory
Khanh Hoa fans cheering their team’s victory
 
After more than one week of competition, the final victory of the National Beach Football Championship 2019 came to Khanh Hoa. Dang Nang finished second; Gia Viet Quang Ninh placed third; Olympic Gym & Fitness (another team of Khanh Hoa) received fair-play prize. Tran Ngoc Bao of Da Nang was the top scorer of the championship; Tran Cong Thanh of Gia Viet Quang Ninh was voted as the best goalkeeper. 

 

Khanh Hoa wins
Khanh Hoa wins  National Beach Football Championship 2019
 
It can be said that with all their efforts and spirit, Khanh Hoa deserved the National Beach Football Championship 2019. They satisfied their fans with an exciting final and sensational victory. However, it was sad that Da Nang left and skipped the awarding ceremony, which might cause them to be penalized by Vietnam Football Federation.
 
A.N
Translated by H.N