Due to a weak defense, SLNA lost their top spot in the V.League 2022.

Oseni still scored, but SLNA were unable to get any points at Hoa Xuan Stadium. Photo: Chung Nguyen

SLNA is once again enjoying a series of important victories. These excellent results have helped the Nghe An team climb to the top of the league table for the first time this season. This achievement is largely thanks to the support of the Nghe An fans. However, playing away from home, without the encouragement of their home crowd, SLNA lacked intensity in the first half. And although the attacking line of the Nghe An club played with greater determination in the second half, mistakes from center-backs Thai Ba Sang and Hoang Van Khanh prevented SLNA from maintaining their winning streak of the previous two rounds.

SLNA's starting lineup remained largely unchanged from their victory against Hong Linh Ha Tinh. The only absence was goalkeeper Van Hoang, who was sidelined due to a cold. Van Hung took the helm for the Nghe An club.

In the opening minutes of the match, despite the support of a large number of fans at Hoa Xuan Stadium, both teams played cautiously. Although playing with their familiar 3-5-2 formation, SLNA lacked the good connection between the three lines as in the previous match. Therefore, almost half of the first half passed without either team creating many scoring opportunities.

Phan Văn Đức had a lackluster performance in this match. Photo: Chung Nguyễn

Despite playing at home, SHB Da Nang's coach Phan Thanh Hung still employed a defensive counter-attacking style of play. However, their attacking moves often lacked creativity. This was because the number of players on SLNA's side of the field was too thin and unable to trouble Van Hung.

The first opportunity of the match belonged to SLNA. In the 26th minute, from a pass by Ho Van Cuong, Olaha made a skillful turn inside the penalty area to take a shot. However, the close marking of many opposing defenders caused the striker to fall inside the 16-meter box, but the referee did not consider it a foul by the home team.

In the final minutes of the first half, SLNA increased the pace of the game. Coach Huy Hoang's players played with more intensity and put greater pressure on Thanh Binh's goal. An opportunity arose for Dinh Xuan Tien when SLNA were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. With a wide angle, Dinh Xuan Tien executed a skillful shot. However, the shot narrowly missed the target.

In the second half, SLNA showed a more determined fighting spirit. Phan Văn Đức delivered a pass down the left wing, then crossed the ball back into the box. However, his teammate was unable to get into a favorable position to take a shot.

While Coach Huy Hoang's team was trying to put pressure on the opponent's half to find a goal, a surprise came. In the 54th minute of the match, Dinh Duy used his cunning to win the ball from center-back Thai Ba Sang. The midfielder made a well-timed pass to Huy Hoang, who neatly controlled the ball and shot it into Van Hung's net, opening the scoring for the home team.

This was the first time this season that SLNA conceded the first goal. To equalize, Coach Huy Hoang's players increased their pace and put great pressure on SHB Da Nang's half of the field. A clear opportunity came to Oseni from a pass by defender Ho Van Cuong. However, the run-in of the number 91 striker was not accurate enough, causing the chance to be wasted.

The only bright spot in this match came from the efforts of young defender Ho Van Cuong. Photo: Chung Nguyen

While SLNA was desperately trying to equalize, SHB Da Nang unexpectedly doubled their lead. Following a mistake by Hoang Van Khanh in the 70th minute, the ball landed at the feet of Huy Hoang, who unleashed a powerful, angled shot that beat goalkeeper Van Hung.

With nothing left to lose, SLNA pushed forward in search of a goal to reduce the deficit. And that was realized by Coach Huy Hoang's players with a goal in the 76th minute. From a right-wing effort by Ho Van Cuong, the ball was passed back inside, and Oseni unleashed a superb volley to beat goalkeeper Thanh Binh.

In the final minutes, SLNA pushed forward to find an equalizer, but coach Huy Hoang's team fell into SHB Da Nang's counter-attack trap and conceded another goal. The goalscorer for the team from the Han River was Dinh Duy.

With this 1-3 defeat, SLNA lost their top spot in the standings after only one round of holding it. On July 23rd, the Nghe An club will return to their home ground to face league leaders Hai Phong.