SLNA were held to a disappointing draw.

(Baonghean.vn) - This afternoon, January 1st, 2012, the opening ceremony of the Eximbank Super League 2012 took place at Vinh Stadium. Attending the ceremony were Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue - Member of the Central Committee of the Party - Minister of Finance, leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation, leaders of Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces, along with thousands of fans.

The 2012 season marked the first time the Vietnamese National Championship (V.League) was renamed the Super League, featuring 14 of the strongest teams nationwide. In the first round, taking place at Vinh Stadium this afternoon, the home team Song Lam Nghe An faced the visiting team Thanh Hoa.

Following the opening remarks by Mr. Tran Duy Ly, CEO of the Eximbank Premier League 2012, Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue, leader of the Vietnam Football Federation, and representatives from Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces went onto the field to present flowers and encourage the players of Song Lam Nghe An and Thanh Hoa teams.



Comrade Vuong Dinh Hue, along with leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation, Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces, and sponsors, at the opening ceremony of the tournament.

Tran Duy Ly, CEO of the Eximbank Premier League 2012, delivered the opening speech.



Comrades Vuong Dinh Hue and Nguyen Xuan Duong presented flowers to encourage Coach Huu Thang and Captain Huy Hoang, and took photos with the SLNA team.





Thousands of fans from Nghe An province braved the cold weather to come to the stadium and cheer on their team.



The two teams exchanged attacks back and forth.

Despite the rather cold weather at Vinh Stadium, thousands of fans from Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces still came to the stadium to cheer on their teams.

Determined to secure their first three points at home, coach Huu Thang fielded his strongest lineup, including three foreign players: Hector, Abass, and Bebbe, along with naturalized player Le Hoang Phat Thierry. Meanwhile, new coach Trieu Quang Ha made no secret of his intention to defend resolutely in order to earn a point away from home, fielding only striker Sunday upfront. What interested fans at Vinh Stadium was that Thanh Hoa's lineup included former SLNA midfielder Le Quoc Vuong, who started the match.

SLNA players started quickly right after referee Phung Dinh Dung's opening whistle. Facing Thanh Hoa's dense defense, in the first half, SLNA's attacking opportunities were confined to the area around the visitors' 16.5-meter box.

Entering the second half, both coaches Huu Thang and Trieu Quang Ha made personnel changes to implement their tactical plans. Thanh Hoa substituted Quoc Vuong, while SLNA brought on Hong Viet and Van Quyen.

The match became exciting with dangerous attacks from SLNA and sharp counter-attacks from the visiting team.

Thanh Hoa's defense, under the command of captain Le Bat Hieu, successfully thwarted scoring opportunities from Trong Hoang, Quang Tinh, Hector, and others of SLNA.

Despite their best efforts and pressing throughout the second half, SLNA players had to settle for a disappointing goalless draw at home against their neighbors Thanh Hoa.

Duc Dung