SLNA 2-1 Becamex TP.HCM: Reon Moore's double, hope of staying in the league

In the 69th minute, Vinh Stadium exploded. From a quick combination with Olaha, Reon Moore calmly turned and coolly finished in the penalty area, sealing a 2-1 victory for Song Lam Nghe An against Becamex TP.HCM in round 11 of V-League 2025/26. In the context of needing points to escape the danger zone, the Trinidad & Tobago striker's double brought more than 3 points: it was a feeling of relief for both the team and the stands.

Key developments: Chances, VAR and two Moore moments

The match opened at a high tempo: SLNA took the initiative to press, while Becamex TP.HCM waited for a quick counterattack. In the 18th minute, Minh Binh escaped down the right wing but his shot lacked precision – the first warning for the home team’s defense.

About 10 minutes later, Van Cuong moved smartly behind the full-back and set up Reon Moore to open the score 1-0. In the 34th minute, Manh Quynh missed a clear chance when facing the away team's goal. At the end of the first half, the audience was in an uproar when Van Cuong fell in the penalty area; after consulting VAR, the referee determined that there was no penalty.

The unexpected development came right at the beginning of the second half. In the 48th minute, captain Tung Quoc handled the ball skillfully in the 16m50 area before finishing accurately, bringing the match back to the starting line. SLNA then increased the tempo, continuously putting the goal of Van Cong - who replaced the injured Minh Toan in the 38th minute - under pressure.

Moore almost restored the gap with a close-range finish that did not go as planned, but the number 10 striker did not have to wait long. In the 69th minute, he coordinated well with Olaha, completing a double and sealing a 2-1 victory for the Nghe An team. Becamex TP.HCM tried their best in the 5 minutes of extra time but could not create a clear chance against the tight defense of the home team.

Tactical angle: SLNA's pressing and the away team's counter-attack

SLNA started with a high press, aiming to stifle Becamex TP.HCM’s development on the flanks. The key was Van Cuong’s off-the-ball movements on the right flank, stretching the defensive structure and opening up a corridor for Moore to attack the far post. The opening goal came from exactly this pattern: the visiting full-back was drawn to the ball, the space behind him was immediately exploited.

On the other hand, Becamex TP.HCM chose pragmatism: low organization, waiting for the opportunity to change the state with speed and strength of the front line. Tung Quoc's equalizer 1-1 came from an individual play in the penalty area, showing that they can be dangerous even without controlling the game. However, when needing a goal at the end of the match, the away team lacked a breakthrough against SLNA's disciplined defense.

The forced change in Becamex TP.HCM's goal (Van Cong replaced Minh Toan in the 38th minute) also affected the defensive organization. SLNA persistently attacked the center-back and full-back, and the Olaha-Moore combination in the 69th minute was the result of that pressing game.

Impact: 3 points to relieve SLNA

The 2-1 victory helped SLNA temporarily rise from the bottom of the table, opening up hope in the relegation race according to the short-term goal. As for Becamex TP.HCM, the defeat caused them to stop in the middle group, missing the opportunity to widen the safety gap despite having balanced the game at times.

Selected statistics

• Score: SLNA 2-1 Becamex TP.HCM.
• Goal scorers: SLNA – Reon Moore (double, decisive goal in the 69th minute); Becamex TP.HCM – Tung Quoc (48').
• VAR: denied penalty for SLNA at the end of the first half.
• Notable substitution: Goalkeeper Van Cong replaces Minh Toan (38').
• Second half injury time: 5 minutes.