Defense made mistakes, Song Lam Nghe An left Hang Day empty-handed

After a series of 5 matches without knowing the taste of victory, Song Lam Nghe An is in free fall on the V.League 2023/24 rankings. If they cannot get points against the home team Cong An Ha Noi in round 15, coach Phan Nhu Thuat's team will likely have to be in the "red lantern" group.

Facing this situation, the majority of the Nghe An team in the last rounds did not have the services of Nam Hai and Xuan Tien due to injuries. Especially in the confrontation with the reigning champion, Song Lam Nghe An also lost Vuong Van Huy and Mai Sy Hoang. Both of these full-backs are receiving penalties from VPF.

To fill that gap, coach Phan Nhu Thuat had to use Le Nguyen Hoang to play as a left back. This player was born in 2005 and his forte is as a center back.

As usual, veteran Tran Dinh Hoang continues to be assigned the task of guarding the right wing. Mario Zebic and Van Thanh will be arranged to play in the central defender position.

The 4 midfielders of Song Lam Nghe An will be taken on by Ba Quyen, Quang Tu, Manh Quynh and Van Viet. Playing highest on the attacking line of the away team is the duo Olaha and Success.

On the other side of the front line, two former players of Song Lam Nghe An, Phan Van Duc and Ho Van Cuong, were not in the starting lineup of Cong An Ha Noi.

The defending champion has a strong army and generals, but Song Lam Nghe An is the team that brings many surprises. The Nghe An team did not play defensively as expected, but confidently controlled the ball and played an open game with the home team.

In the 7th minute, Song Lam Nghe An had the first dangerous opportunity of the match. Olaha skillfully handled the ball in a narrow area in the penalty area and then unleashed a powerful left-footed shot, but goalkeeper Nguyen Filip reacted promptly and pushed the ball out.

However, with a highly qualified force, Hanoi Police regained the initiative. To counter the opponent's strength, Song Lam Nghe An chose a defensive counter-attack strategy. This caused difficulties for the home team's attack. The defending champion could not find a way into Van Viet's goal.

On the other hand, despite playing a crowded defense, Song Lam Nghe An had very quick transition passes and caused a lot of confusion for the opponent's defense.

In the 22nd minute, from a cross from the left wing by Success, Olaha received the ball in the Hanoi Police penalty area. However, the kick from the striker wearing the number 7 shirt could not get past the crowd of the home team.

In the final minutes of the first half, Hanoi Police chose the left wing as the main attacking force, with Van Thanh and Quang Hai. And if it weren't for Mario's brilliance, the home team could have broken the deadlock. Quang Hai made a difficult cross across Van Viet's goal, but Mario jumped high and bravely cleared the ball.

In the second half, Hanoi Police continued to dominate the game. In the 55th minute, Van Thanh crossed the ball into the penalty area for Jeferson Elias to press well, before finishing with a shot that bounced so much that goalkeeper Van Viet could not block it. However, after the VAR team checked, it was determined that the home striker was offside.

Just 2 minutes later, receiving a pass from his teammate, Van Thanh sprinted down the field. The winger from Hai Duong lobbed the ball precisely in a face-off with goalkeeper Van Viet, opening the scoring.

In the 70th minute, Mario Zebic seized the opportunity to shoot the ball into the Hanoi Police net, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside against the away team's central defender.

Before the match ended, Hanoi Police were awarded a free kick near the visitors' penalty area. Quang Hai was the one who took a powerful and low kick into the net of SL Nghe An, sealing a 2-0 victory for the home team.