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The 2017 V-League came to an end this past weekend and what a cracking end to the season it was. It started with the possibility of Ha Noi, Quang Nam, Thanh Hoa or Than Quang Ninh winning the league and with Ha Noi travelling to Quang Ninh, it was sure to be a final day that would live long in the memory.
That was alongside the race for the golden boot, which started the day with three players tied on 14 and ended with a clear winner, but a surprise runner-up which no one saw coming.
Let's recap what happened; here are the fixtures:
Than Quang Ninh – 42 points (4th) vs Ha Noi – 45 points (1st)
Song Lam Nghe An vs FLC Than Hoa – 45 points (3rd)
Quang Nam – 45 points (2nd) vs Ho Chi Minh
Quang Nam were out the blocks the fastest as it only took them five minutes to take the lead against a Ho Chi Minh side who have had nothing to play for, for a very long time. This was then followed by Can Tho's Christian Amougou edging ahead in the race for the golden boot, putting his side 1-0 up away at basement side Long An.
Shortly afterwards, Oseni put Ha Noi in the lead away at Quang Ninh which put Ha Noi above their main rival for the title, Quang Nam, by virtue of goal difference as there is no separating them when it comes to a head to head record.
Not even 20 minutes had been played when Nguyen Anh Duc drew level with Amougou in the hunt for the golden boot as he put Becamex in the lead. A blistering start.
Nguyen was not level for long as Amougou puts Can Tho back in the lead at Long An after they responded to Amougou’s first. Amougou on 16, Nguyen on 15. This was still only at the 25-minute mark, so there was a lot of time left.
Prior to the half-hour mark being hit, there was still more drama as FLC Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam were reduced to ten men meaning that Ha Noi were well and truly in the ascendancy, Oseni doubled his tally for the afternoon making Ha Noi odds-on favourites for the title before halftime.
There was more drama before the halftime whistles were blown as Dyachenko pulled one back for Quang Ninh and ten men Quang Nam doubled their lead, to really put the pressure on Ha Noi. In the race for the golden boot, Nguyen Anh Duc grabbed two just before the interval to put him out on his own. 17 goals and well and truly clear.
At halftime it was Ha Noi's to lose, let's turn our attention to the second half to find out if they did manage to keep hold of it or not.
Only four minutes had been played in the second half when Dyachenko got his second and drew Quang Ninh level with Ha Noi, cue wild celebrations at Quang Nam as the news filtered through.
That man again, Dyachenko, made it a hattrick for the afternoon and took him to 15 goals for the season as Quang Ninh go 3-2 up at home to Ha Noi. It also put Quang Nam well and truly on the front foot for the V-League title.
Thanh Hoa, who had ten men from round about the half-hour mark, shook things up again when they went 1-0 up away at Sanna Khanh Hoa, putting them level on points with Quang Nam. However, due to their inferior head to head record, they couldn't overtake Quang Nam.
It was put out of reach for Thanh Hoa when Quang Nam went three up meaning that unless Ha Noi could comeback against Quang Ninh, the V-League champions would be Quang Nam.
It was squeaky bum time afterwards, though as Oseni drew Ha Noi level, but then, only minutes later Dyachenko got his FOURTH of the game meaning he was only one behind Nguyen Anh Duc and it also essentially handed the title to Quang Nam.
Afterwards, Ho Chi Minh grabbed a consolation at Quang Nam and then in stoppage time, Oseni got his fourth of the game as well, making it 4-4.
Ha Noi failed to get that crucial fifth goal in what was an incredible game against Quang Ninh that finished 4-4 meaning that Quang Nam are V-League 2017 Champions.
So, there you have it. A thrilling end to the season, Thanh Hoa finished with the most points and the best goal difference but finished second due to losing to Quang Nam 3-2 away from home and drawing at home 1-1.
Ha Noi were in pole position during kick off, and all they had to do was win and they would have been crowned champions but a Dyachenko inspired Quang Ninh prevented them from winning back to back championships.
The golden boot went to Nguyen Anh Duc of Becamex who scored an incredible five goals in his last two games to put him out on his own with 17 goals from 26 games, he was followed by Dyachenko who came from nowhere with those four on the last day and Can Tho’s Christian Amougou.
Quang Nam win the league and over the course of the season, they deserved it.
If the 2018 season is as half as good, we will be in for another box office season.
