SLNA beat Binh Duong on the opening day of V.League

After a period of bustling preparations, on the afternoon of February 25, SLNA introduced to fans a squad of top players in the opening match of V.League at Go Dau Stadium. Stars such as Van Hoang, Que Ngoc Hai, Van Khanh, Thai Ba Sang, Phan Van Duc, Xuan Manh, Dinh Hoang... were put on the field from the start. On the attack line, the foreign duo Basit and Olaha were also used by coach Huy Hoang.

There were quite a lot of fans who love the Nghe An team coming to cheer for SLNA. Photo: Chung Nguyen.

With a force that was considered superior, plus the encouragement of many yellow shirt fans, SLNA caused many difficulties for the home team Binh Duong right from the opening whistle.

Olaha had a successful match against the home team. Photo: Chung Nguyen

SLNA entered the game with enthusiasm and determination, always playing high pressing. In the 4th minute, Phan Van Duc made a delicate pass for Olaha to escape and face the home team's goalkeeper. However, this player's touch did not go as planned.

The attack line played aggressively with the wide movement of the duo Basit and Olaha, SLNA's defense was also very solid with the cornerstones of Que Ngoc Hai, Van Khanh... therefore, Vietnam's top strikers like Tien Linh, along with Minh Khoa or Abass on Binh Duong's side did not have much room to perform.

Although SLNA were the more proactive players, attacking more, but throughout the first half, the efficiency was not high. The shots of Basit and Jong Mark did not hit Son Hai's goal.

Entering the second half, the Nghe An team was still the more proactive team. Olaha, with his wide range of activities, was able to draw in the defense of B. Binh Duong.

Basit's celebration when he scored his first goal for SLNA. Photo: Chung Nguyen

In the 57th minute of the match, SLNA opened the score in a chaotic situation. After Olaha's shot, the ball hit a home team defender and flew towards Binh Duong's goal. As quick as lightning, striker Basit rushed in and headed the ball past the opposing goalkeeper.

After the opening goal, SLNA's high spirits made Binh Duong's defenders struggle to defend. The overlapping moves on both flanks of the Nghe An team were quite smooth with the mobility of Phan Van Duc and Pham Xuan Manh.

If lucky, Van Duc could have scored a goal with a close-range header in the 67th minute of the match.

Towards the end of the match, SLNA proactively slowed down the pace of the match and chose a defensive counter-attacking style of play. This was a reasonable strategy by coach Huy Hoang to bring about a good result in the opening match.

At the end of the match, SLNA won 1-0 against the home team B.Binh Duong.

Round 2 of V.League SLNA will return to Vinh Stadium to meet Binh Dinh. The match will take place at 5:00 p.m., March 1.