Phan Van Duc is pale, Song Lam Nghe An and Thanh Hoa are evenly matched.

Right in the 2nd minute of the match, there was a very dangerous corner kick situation by SLNA, the ball hit the ground and crossed the goal of Thanh Hoa goalkeeper Thanh Diep. Both teams entered the match with excitement but also quite cautiously.

In the 7th minute, SLNA continued to penetrate the opponent, the ball reached the feet of striker Alagie Sosseh but he could not coordinate with his teammates. In the 13th minute, the home team Thanh Hoa had an answer. SLNA's goal was shaken after a methodical attack and powerful header by Hoang Vu Samson. Fortunately for the away team, goalkeeper Van Hoang played well and flew to save the home team.

Phan Van Duc is under strict lockdown. Photo: Trung Kien

The pace of the match slowed down as the first half passed by half time. The home team controlled the ball better, but there were still fierce clashes between the players of both teams, especially in the midfield. The two teams entered the break without any goals scored due to the somewhat confusing decisions of the main referee Vu Phuc Hoan.

In the second half, SLNA's coaching staff withdrew midfielder Dang Van Lam from the field to make way for veteran midfielder Quang Tinh to strengthen his ability to control the midfield. At this time, Phan Van Duc moved to the right wing while Tuan Tai played on the opposite wing.

Striker Hoang Vu Samson caused a lot of trouble for SLNA's defense. Photo: Nguyen Hien

In the 50th minute, Thanh Hoa had the first chance of the second half, Balic received the ball from Samson and fired a dangerous shot close to the 16m50 line. The ball bounced around, forcing goalkeeper Van Hoang to choose the safe option of pushing the ball away and accepting a corner kick.

In the 71st minute, midfielder Quang Tinh had a chance outside the penalty area, took a long shot but the ball went over the bar. After that, there were consecutive attacks, threatening goalkeeper Thanh Diep's goal by Tuan Tai and Van Duc. However, all stopped at opportunities.

Notably, in the 80th minute, Tuan Tai was blocked in the penalty area but the referee did not consider it a penalty. In the following situation, Peter Samuel continued to fall in the penalty area but the main referee still did not blow the whistle.

Goalkeeper Van Hoang had to rush out to save the day many times. Photo: Nguyen Hien

The pace of the match continued to be very fast. However, this was a match where both teams' defenses played well. In the last 10 minutes of the match, SLNA created more trouble but still did not score. The most anticipated name, Phan Van Duc, had a lackluster day.

The final whistle blew, the two teams held each other to a 0-0 draw. With 1 point, a total of 8 points, SLNA still maintained 3rd place but had the same score as TP HCM and Viettel.

This is also the 4th consecutive match that the Nghe team has kept a clean sheet this season. As for Thanh Hoa, coach Thanh Cong and his team continue to stand at the bottom of the table with 1 point after 4 rounds. In the next match, the Nghe team will be a guest of the Hanoi club at Hang Day Stadium.

V.League 2020 rankings after round 4. Photo: VPF

STARTING LINEUP

Thanh Hoa Club:TM Thanh Diep, Xuan Cuong, Minh Tung, Balic, Huu Dung, Van Thang, Thanh Long, Van Loi, Epassi, Gassissou, Hoang Vu Samson.

SLNA Club:TM Van Hoang, Dinh Dong, Ba Sang, Gustavo, Sy Nam, Van Lam, Dinh Chau, Van Duc, Tuan Tai, Peter Samuel, Alagie Sosseh.

For 8 years, Song Lam Nghe An has never won on Thanh Hoa field.

(Baonghean.vn) - After 3 unbeaten matches in V.League 2020, coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team will visit Thanh Hoa. However, this will be a difficult away trip for the Nghe An team. For 8 years, SLNA has only known how to draw and lose in Thanh Hoa on the V.League playground.