Song Lam Nghe An suffered their second consecutive defeat against Binh Duong.
(Baonghean.vn) - Despite playing with a resilient spirit, Song Lam Nghe An still could not turn the tide after conceding 3 goals. The match of round 13 of V.League 2023/2024, between Binh Duong and Song Lam Nghe An took place at Go Dau Stadium at 7:00 p.m. on March 9.
Entering round 13 of V.League 2023/2024, coach Phan Nhu Thuat continued to use only 2 foreign players, with Mario Zebic playing in the center-back position with Le Van Thanh. Meanwhile, Olaha played alongside Phan Xuan Dai to play highest on the attack line of the Nghe An team. Playing right behind this striker duo were: Van Viet, Quang Vinh, Ba Quyen and Le Van Quy.
On the other side of the battle line, coach Le Huynh Duc has launched a very strong lineup including Janclesio, Bui Vi Hao, Nguyen Tien Linh, Tran Trung Hieu...
Determined not to suffer another defeat to avoid falling into the relegation zone after the first leg, Song Lam Nghe An proactively chose a defensive counter-attacking strategy as soon as the opening whistle sounded at Go Dau Stadium. The lightning-fast attacks of coach Nhu Thuat's players caused a lot of trouble for Binh Duong's defenders.
In the 6th minute, Xuan Dai tried to break through from midfield and then sent a pass with the right momentum to Olaha. The striker wearing the number 7 shirt made a decisive shot, but could not beat Binh Duong goalkeeper Minh Toan.
In the following minutes, Song Lam Nghe An played proactively. Coach Phan Nhu Thuat's players confidently held the ball and coordinated quite smoothly. This way of playing of the Nghe team reduced the pressure from Tuan Linh and his teammates. In addition, Binh Duong's defense also had a lot of trouble to be able to withstand the visitors' varied attacks.
However, despite many attacks that could not score, Song Lam Nghe An had to pay the price with a goal in the 28th minute. From a quick counterattack, Tien Linh took a shot in the penalty area, the ball hit Mario Zebic's hand. Immediately the referee pointed to the penalty spot. On the 11m mark, Tien Linh easily defeated Van Viet to open the score for Binh Duong.
After scoring the goal, the home team played with great excitement, thus continuously creating trouble in front of Van Viet's goal. In the 32nd minute, from a chaotic situation in front of the away team's goal, midfielder Minh Khoa received the ball in a favorable position, then fired a powerful shot, but the ball went wide of the post.
At the end of the first half, Song Lam Nghe An pushed up their formation to find an equalizer. That put a lot of pressure on Minh Toan's goal. In the 44th minute, Olaha dribbled down the sideline and then crossed the ball inside, the ball found Ba Quyen's feet, but the midfielder wearing the number 19 shirt's shot was blocked by the home team's central defenders.
In the second half, in order to increase the attack, coach Phan Nhu Thuat decided to send Manh Quynh onto the field to replace Le Van Quy. However, when the attack could not make a difference, Song Lam Nghe An continued to receive the second goal in the 52nd minute. From the counter-attack, Atshimene sent a pass to Tien Linh. The striker wearing the captain's armband of Binh Duong made the net of Song Lam Nghe An shake for the second time, after getting past Van Viet in a one-on-one situation.
The disadvantage continued to be multiplied for the away team, because immediately after that, in the dispute, the referee thought that Van Huy had hit his opponent. This player received a direct red card and had to leave the field.
Despite playing with one less player, Song Lam Nghe An still had a dangerous opportunity in front of Minh Toan's goal. Substitute Manh Quynh performed a solo move, passing through a series of Binh Duong defenders, then took a tricky shot, but the ball hit the post, denying the visitors the chance to shorten the gap.
However, with the advantage of more players, Binh Duong continued to increase the score to 3-0 in the 80th minute. In the situation of breaking Tuan Canh's offside trap, this midfielder passed the ball conveniently for Atshimene to defeat Van Viet, scoring against Song Lam Nghe An.
Right after conceding the third goal, from a corner kick, Olaha jumped high and headed the ball dangerously, shortening the score to 1-3 for Song Lam Nghe An.
The final minutes of the match were full of drama, when Song Lam Nghe An scored the second goal to reduce the gap to 2-3. From a set piece, the ball bounced between Minh Toan's goal and found Manh Quynh's feet, this midfielder fired a diagonal shot, hitting the Binh Duong net.
However, despite playing with great effort until the last seconds, the away team still could not earn a point at Go Dau Stadium. The final score of the match was 3-2 in favor of Binh Duong.
After this round, V.league will temporarily stop for round 14 and will return on March 30. Song Lam Nghe An will return to their home field to welcome Hai Phong.