Song Lam Nghe An shares points with Thanh Hoa at Vinh Stadium

The absence of many key players has greatly affected the ability to create opportunities for Song Lam Nghe An players. Photo: Chung Le

Entering this match, the Vinh home team will not have the services of key players such as Hoang Van Khanh, Olaha, Ojong Mark and main striker Olaha.

On Thanh Hoa’s side, coach Petrovic fielded two foreign players, both of whom played as central defenders. Gustavo, of whom, had played for Song Lam Nghe An in the previous two seasons.

Without Olaha on the attack, SLNA's play became deadlocked, even though the home team held the ball up to 60%.

Throughout the match, Van Duc and his teammates could not put much pressure on Thanh Diep's goal when they were closely followed by two foreign central defenders from Thanh Hoa. Photo: Chung Le

During the first 30 minutes, the match was slow. Although the home team Vinh controlled the ball better than the away team, there were not many shots that came close to Thanh Diep's goal. The most notable situation in the first half of the match came from Tran Dinh Hoang's cross into the 16m50 area, but Oseni was not able to get in time to head the ball.

In the final minutes of the first half, Thanh Hoa striker Le Van Thang had a chance to face Van Hoang after a through ball from Thanh Long, but Song Lam Nghe An's goalkeeper read the situation and rushed out very quickly to successfully block this dangerous ball.

In the second half, Thanh Hoa was the team with the first chance. From a set piece free kick on the left wing, Thanh Hoa captain launched a daring shot into the near corner of Van Hoang's goal, but once again, the Song Lam Nghe An goalkeeper still showed his confidence when pushing the ball away for a corner kick.

Not accepting the draw, coach Huy Hoang decided to replace Van Viet and Mai Sy Hoang with Tran Dinh Tien and Ho Van Cuong.

That change created a new wind for the Nghe An team's attack. SLNA players had many attacks that made the away team's goal shake. In particular, the opportunity from Dinh Xuan Tien's pass stood out, Van Duc accelerated past the opponent's center back, but goalkeeper Thanh Diep rushed out very quickly to block.

In the second half, Song Lam Nghe An boldly replaced many young players, but still had to accept a draw with the away team. Photo: Chung Le

Coach Huy Hoang continued to create surprises when he replaced Van Duc with the new 18-year-old midfielder - Tran Nam Hai. For the first time playing on the V.League field, Nam Hai was arranged in Xuan Manh's position. The midfielder wearing the number 7 shirt was pushed up high to play as a shuttle midfielder.

However, the continuous attacks of the Vinh home team still could not be converted into goals and the Nghe team was forced to share points with Thanh Hoa.

Round 12, Song Lam Nghe An will visit Thien Truong to compete with Nam Dinh Club.