Song Lam Nghe An shares points with Hong Linh Ha Tinh at Vinh Stadium

Soladio equalized for Song Lam Nghe An in the second half, helping the Nghe An team escape defeat at Vinh Stadium. Photo: Phi Hung

The match of round 8 of V.League 2023 taking place at Vinh Stadium, between Song Lam Nghe An and Hong Linh Ha Tinh is extremely important, greatly deciding the ability of both teams to enter the group of 8 teams after the end of phase 1.

In order to add more motivation and determination to the Nghe An players, comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu - Deputy Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of Song Lam Nghe An Club - Mr. Truong Sy Ba were directly present in the stands to watch and cheer for the home team. Notably, this is the first time this season that Mr. Ba has come to Vinh Stadium. That will certainly add more spirit for the students of coach Huy Hoang to find the second victory this season.

Xuan Manh made an accurate assist to bring the equalizer for Song Lam Nghe An. Photo: Phi Hung

Returning to the match, Song Lam Nghe An still took the field with the familiar 3-5-2 formation. However, there were a few changes in the starting lineup compared to the victory in round 7. Specifically, the player standing in the goal of the Nghe team was Nguyen Van Viet. Defender Vuong Van Huy was on the field for the first time in the starting lineup. In addition, coach Huy Hoang arranged Tran Dinh Tien to play as a left midfielder.

Although Song Lam Nghe An played at home, Hong Linh Ha Tinh was the team that had the first chance. In the 2nd minute, from a smooth attack in the middle, Diallo received a reasonable pass from his teammate, but his kick was not difficult enough to defeat goalkeeper Van Viet.

After the first few minutes of being surprised by the way the away team entered the game, Song Lam Nghe An gradually regained control of the game. The right wing, where Ho Van Cuong participated, created many highly flexible attacks. The attacking triangle of Ho Van Cuong, Trong Hoang, and Soladio was often established, bringing about highly unpredictable coordination situations. That often caused trouble for the away team's goal. In the 8th minute, from an attack on the right wing, Soladio made a pass towards the 2nd post for Dinh Tien. However, the midfielder wearing the number 15 shirt did not control the ball properly, so he missed the opportunity to open the score for the home team.

In contrast, Hong Linh Ha Tinh chose a defensive counter-attacking strategy. Coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's team was not completely passive in defense, but they often created situations of reasonable transitions. In the 15th minute, from the counter-attack of the away team, the striker duo Diallo and Oliveira Pinto with their abundant physical strength and skillful techniques created a storm for Van Viet's goal. However, Pinto's volley did not have the desired accuracy.

The pace of the match was maintained at a fairly high level, the two teams played tit for tat, creating an attractive match, true to the nature of the North Central Derby.

Towards the end of the first half, Hong Linh Ha Tinh had a clear chance to open the score, but the crossbar denied a goal after Diallo's beautiful curling shot.

However, the away team did not have to be too regretful, because just a few minutes later, Trung Hoc scored against Van Viet. From a central attack, Diallo sent a through ball that tore through the Song Lam Nghe An defense, bringing Trung Hoc face to face with goalkeeper Van Viet. The midfielder wearing the number 28 jersey easily scored the opening goal of the match.

In the second half, in order to overcome the limitations in defense, coach Huy Hoang decided to put center back Thai Ba Sang on the field to replace Ho Van Cuong. However, that did not bring much improvement. In the first minute of the second half, Hong Linh Ha Tinh made a dangerous attack, but Pinto's final shot went just wide of Van Viet's goal post.

The defensive lapses of Song Lam Nghe An continued to be exposed when Hong Linh Ha Tinh easily doubled the gap in the 55th minute. From a mistake by center back Vysta, the ball found Pinto. This striker unleashed a tricky shot to defeat goalkeeper Van Viet.

Due to not being physically fit after returning from SEA Games 32, Ho Van Cuong had to leave the field in the second half. Photo: Phi Hung

After conceding the goal, Nghe An players rushed to the opponent's field to find an equalizer. And with his star quality, Olaha brought home a goal to shorten the score for Song Lam Nghe An. From a distance of nearly 30m, the Nigerian striker unleashed a powerful shot that burned Quang Tuan's net.

After narrowing the gap,Song Lam Nghe An players seemed to have released the pressure, thereby creating lines.high-damage ball. In the 70th minute, from a cross on the right wing, Xuan Manh made a precise cross for Soladio to make a technical header to defeat goalkeeper Quang Tuan, bringing the match back to the starting line.

At the end of the match, Song Lam Nghe An proactively raised their attack to find more opportunities, but the final result remained the same.

May 26th,Song Lam Nghe An will be guests at Hang Day Stadium to meet Hanoi Police.