Weak defense, SLNA lost top position in V.League 2022

Oseni still scored, but SLNA could not get any points at Hoa Xuan Stadium. Photo: Chung Nguyen

SLNA is having important victories again. That great result helps the Nghe team to climb to the first position on the rankings for the first time this season. This achievement is largely due to the contribution of Nghe fans. However, when away from home, without the support of home fans, SLNA played without passion in the first half. And although the Nghe club's attack played with greater determination in the second half. However, mistakes from central defenders Thai Ba Sang and Hoang Van Khanh made it impossible for SLNA to maintain the winning streak they had in the past two rounds.

SLNA's starting lineup did not have many changes compared to the victory over Hong Linh Ha Tinh. Only goalkeeper Van Hoang could not participate due to a cold. The player standing in the goal for the Nghe An club was goalkeeper Van Hung.

In the first minutes of the match, despite the cheering of many fans at Hoa Xuan Stadium, both teams played cautiously. Although playing with the familiar 3-5-2 formation, SLNA did not have a good connection between the 3 lines like the previous match. Therefore, almost half of the match passed, but there were not many opportunities created by the two teams.

Phan Van Duc played poorly in this match. Photo: Chung Nguyen

Although SHB Da Nang played at home, coach Phan Thanh Hung still applied a defensive counter-attacking style of play. However, their attacks were often not very sudden. Because the forces present on SLNA's field were too thin and could not cause trouble for Van Hung.

The first chance of the match belonged to SLNA. In the 26th minute, from a pass from Ho Van Cuong, Olaha made a turn in the penalty area to finish. However, the encirclement of many opposing defenders caused this striker to fall in the 16m50 area, but the referee did not consider it a foul by the home team.

In the final minutes of the half, SLNA increased the speed of the match. Coach Huy Hoang's players played with passion and put more pressure on Thanh Binh's goal. And the opportunity was given to Dinh Xuan Tien when SLNA was awarded a free kick right at the edge of the penalty area. With a wide angle, Dinh Xuan Tien took a very technical shot. However, the shot missed the goal by a hair's breadth.

In the second half, SLNA showed a more determined fighting spirit. Phan Van Duc brought the ball down to the left wing, then passed it back inside. However, his teammates could not get a favorable position to shoot the ball.

When coach Huy Hoang's team was trying to put pressure on the opponent's field to find a goal, the surprise came. In the 54th minute of the match, Dinh Duy used his cunning ability to steal the ball from center back Thai Ba Sang. This midfielder passed the ball reasonably for Huy Hoang to handle neatly, kicking the ball into Van Hung's net, opening the score for the home team.

This was the first time this season that SLNA conceded a goal first. To equalize the score, Coach Huy Hoang's students increased their speed and put great pressure on SHB Da Nang's field. A clear opportunity came to Oseni from a pass from defender Ho Van Cuong. However, the forward number 91's rush, which was not really accurate, caused the opportunity to pass unfortunately.

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

While SLNA was using all its strength to find an equalizer, SHB Da Nang suddenly doubled the gap. From Hoang Van Khanh's mistake in the 70th minute, the ball came to Huy Hoang's feet, this player made a strong, diagonal shot that defeated goalkeeper Van Hung.

With nothing left to lose, SLNA pressed forward to find a goal to shorten the score. And that was realized by coach Huy Hoang's students with a goal in the 76th minute. From Ho Van Cuong's effort on the right wing, the ball was passed back inside, Oseni unleashed a classy volley to defeat goalkeeper Thanh Binh.

In the final minutes, SLNA pushed up to find an equalizer, but coach Huy Hoang's team fell into SHB Da Nang's counter-attack trap and had to concede another goal. The player who scored for the Han River team was Dinh Duy.

With this 1-3 loss, SLNA lost the top spot on the rankings after only 1 round. On July 23, the Nghe An club will return home to meet the top team Hai Phong.