Geovane and Van Thuan shone brightly, helping Ninh Binh defeat Becamex Ho Chi Minh City 2-1.
Van Thuan's goal in the 90+5th minute of injury time secured a dramatic victory for Ninh Binh at Go Dau Stadium, helping the team continue their fierce pursuit of a top 3 position.
The match between Becamex Ho Chi Minh City and Ninh Binh ended in an unbelievable scenario when the decisive goal was scored in the final seconds. Midfielder Van Thuan once again became the center of attention with his invaluable goal, helping Ninh Binh leave with a full three points in an emotional back-and-forth match.
The suffocating pressure and Geovane's opening goal.
From the opening whistle, Ninh Binh showed their ambition to win by pushing their formation high and playing a pressing game. Coach Vu Tien Thanh's team constantly pressured their opponents into a defensive posture. In the first half alone, goalkeeper Van Cong's net was shaken twice, in the 4th and 35th minutes, after shots from Gia Hung and Fred Friday. However, both goals were disallowed by the referee due to offside.
Persistently attacking, Ninh Binh finally found a gap in the opposing defense. In the 45th minute, after Gia Hung's breakthrough effort led to a foul in the penalty area, striker Geovane Magno made no mistake from the penalty spot to open the scoring 1-0. This was a well-deserved reward for the tremendous pressure the visiting team created throughout the first half.
Geovane continues to prove his worth as one of the top foreign players in the Vietnamese professional league system today. With his sharp tactical vision, the Brazilian player not only scores goals but is also a key player in every attacking move for Ninh Binh.
Becamex Ho Chi Minh City's efforts to rise again.
Entering the second half, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City faced a difficult personnel issue with the absence of key foreign players such as Zlatkovic Milos and Sam Elisha Bruce. However, the home team's domestic players put in a spirited performance. In the 54th minute, from a precise cross by Minh Khoa, defender Ho Tan Tai intelligently positioned himself to head the ball into the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
The equalizer boosted the morale of the Becamex Ho Chi Minh City players. In fact, with a bit more luck in Dung Quang Nho's 58th-minute shot, the home team could have taken a 2-1 lead. The mobility of players like Tan Tai and Minh Khoa created a captivating and closely contested match at Go Dau Stadium.
Drama in the final minutes of added time.
Just when it seemed the match would end in a draw, drama unfolded in the 90+5th minute. Similar to the previous round, midfielder Van Thuan played the hero for Ninh Binh with a decisive goal, securing a 2-1 victory for the visiting team. This goal not only brought three points but also affirmed Ninh Binh's resilience in the most crucial moments of the match.
| Match statistics | Becamex Ho Chi Minh City | Ninh Binh |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 1 | 2 |
| Goal scorer | Ho Tan Tai (54') | Geovane (45'), Van Thuan (90+5') |
| Location | Go Dau Stadium | |
This defeat leaves many disappointed for Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, especially since they played very well despite having a depleted squad. Meanwhile, with a full three points, Ninh Binh continues to maintain pressure on the leading group and widen the gap with their chasing rivals in the race for the top spot.
