HAGL-SLNA 0-0: Lack of goals

(Baonghean.vn) - A captivating match with exciting attacking play from both teams. Many opportunities were created in front of both goals, but no goals were scored. The performance of both teams deserved to be the highlight match of Round 7.

Perhaps the only regrettable thing is that the goal, the essential ingredient in a football match, did not appear in Pleiku yesterday afternoon.

Despite not being in a high position at the moment, the match between HA.GL and SLNA is still considered the highlight of round 7. The reason, though not explicitly stated, is understood by many to be a match to determine "which young team is the best in V.League?". According to the organizers' statistics, HA.GL and SLNA are two of the teams with the youngest average age in the 2016 V.League.

The match was exciting but no goals were scored. (Illustrative image)

In 2015, the two teams met at Vinh Stadium in a highly anticipated match. In that game, SLNA and HA.GL played fairly, and victory went to the young players of SLNA, even though HA.GL at the time had bright stars like Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, and Xuan Truong. Although not an academy and lacking exceptionally talented individuals, HA.GL's training and development of players in professional football meant they could call SLNA their mentor.

Unfortunately, the return match in Pleiku, when SLNA had already secured a safe position and HA.GL were desperate for points, did not satisfy anyone who followed the game. No one fully understood the details, but it was a lackluster performance from Quang Trường's players, and it eroded much of the fans' trust. A subsequent boycott emerged, primarily stemming from that disappointing match.

To erase the trauma of the infamous 2015 match and prove their leading position in youth development, both HA.GL and SLNA have decided to give their all to showcase their individuality and pride. This is also why both teams had a considerable amount of preparation time before the match.

SLNA's lineup for this match also saw quite a few changes, with Ngoc Hai being moved back to his familiar center-back position. In the center of midfield, Khac Ngoc partnered with Ngoc Toan. Veteran player Van Vinh was also fielded from the start by coach Ngo Quang Truong.

Despite being the away team, SLNA started better and created many dangerous situations in the first half. The duo of Odat and Baba were the most outstanding players on the field. These two SLNA forwards constantly moved and created dangerous situations in front of goalkeeper Vinh Loi's goal. With a bit more luck, SLNA could have scored in the first half if Baba, Odat, and Phi Son's shots had been a little more precise.

At the start of the second half, SLNA unexpectedly lost control of the game, and within the first 10 minutes, HA.GL had a series of scoring opportunities. First, Van Thanh's shot from outside the penalty area forced Nguyen Manh to make a full-stretch save. Immediately afterwards, Van Toan's close-range shot prevented SLNA from conceding a goal, and only luck prevented them from doing so.

Although playing less convincingly, the clearest chance in the first half of the second half belonged to the visiting team. It was a situation where Baba used his strength to beat the home team's defender, but for some reason, in a one-on-one situation with an empty net, the striker shot the ball wide. At this moment, all the SLNA fans in the stadium stood up to celebrate a goal, but Baba disappointed them all. While SLNA had a moment of premature celebration, HA.GL also had reason to regret when, in the 89th minute, Van Thanh's shot hit the post.

The final highlight of the match wasn't the goals, but the foul that led to Ngoc Hai's sending off. It was an open and fairly high-quality game, but it was a shame it lacked the spice of goals.

VINH LIEM