B.Binh Duong 2-3 Shandong Luneng: Breathtaking chase

Despite having to accept defeat against Shandong Luneng, with what they showed in this match, B.Binh Duong players still deserve to receive applause.

B.Binh Duong played with determination against Shandong Luneng

On the afternoon of February 24, the sole representative of Vietnamese football in the AFC Champions League 2015, B.Binh Duong, had their first match in Group E against Shandong Luneng. This is the first time in 7 years that the team from Thu Dau Mot has had the opportunity to return to the highest level tournament in Asia.

Meanwhile, Shandong Luneng in this match is highly appreciated by experts for the quality of the players in the squad. It can be mentioned as Wang Dailei - one of the best goalkeepers in China at the moment; Zheng Zheng - the best young defender in 2010 and 3 consecutive years selected in the typical squad of the Chinese Super League; midfielder Walter Montillo - twice won the Silver Ball in Brazil or most notably striker Diego Tardelli - who scored a double against arch-rival Argentina in the Brazilian national team last October.

However, the match did not show much difference in class between the two teams. With the advantage of playing at home at Go Dau Stadium, B.Binh Duong players played confidently and with excitement. Technical Director Le Thuy Hai and Coach Nguyen Thanh Son applied reasonable tactics, defensive counter-attacking to minimize the attacking power of the away team.

This style of play proved effective in the first 45 minutes. Shandong Luneng, despite having 67% of the ball possession, could not break the deadlock. The Chinese team's "weapon" of crossing the ball from both wings also became deadlocked because the striker duo Liu Binbin and Diego Tardelli could not escape the control of the defenders of B.Binh Duong.

After a relatively quiet first half, the adjustments in both tactics and personnel of the two teams created an extremely attractive score chase in the next 45 minutes.

In the 46th minute, the player who had just entered the field, Yang Xu, quickly made a difference with a header for Wang Yongpo to shoot from close range to open the score for Shandong Luneng.

But just 1 minute later, B.Binh Duong immediately had an answer. Le Cong Vinh made a skillful pass from the left wing, creating an opportunity for Oseni to break the offside trap, pass 2 away team players before skillfully flicking the outside of his right foot to equalize for the home team.

With the equalizer, B.Binh Duong played even more enthusiastically. In the 56th minute, while competing for the ball with Moses, Shandong Luneng defender Wang Qiang carelessly headed the ball into his own net.

Unfortunately, B.Binh Duong's lead could not be maintained for long. Substitute Yang Xu continued to prove his worth in the second half. In the 61st and 81st minutes, he scored two goals, bringing the final victory of 3-2 for Shandong Luneng.

Despite the defeat, B.Binh Duong still have the right to hold their heads high. They marked their return to the AFC Champions League with an impressive performance, a tenacious fighting spirit and full confidence. However, if they want to go deep in this harsh tournament, B.Binh Duong's problem of preventing high balls needs to be solved soon.

Line-up:

B.Binh Duong: Esele, Phuoc Tu, Au Van Hoan, Dang Van Robert, D.Vrankovic, Le Tan Tai (Michal Nguyen 83'), Nguyen Trong Hoang, Oloya, Le Cong Vinh (Mai Tien Thanh 80'), Dieng, Oseni.

Shandong Luneng: Wang Dalei, Dai Lin, Zhao Mingjian, Wang Qiang, Zheng Zheng, W. Montillo, Li Wei (Zhang Wenzhao 74'), Wang Yongpo, Júnior Urso, Liu Binbin (Yang Xu 46'), Diego Tardelli (Zhang Chi 85').

According to Bongdaplus