Song Lam Nghe An lost points in extra time against Ho Chi Minh City club
(Baonghean.vn) - Keeping a clean sheet until the 91st minute, Song Lam Nghe An still left Thong Nhat Stadium empty-handed in the match against Ho Chi Minh City club in round 7 of V.League 2023/2024.
Ho Chi Minh City FC have had an impressive start under new coach Phung Thanh Phuong. The Saigon team is on a 3-match unbeaten streak, including a win against a rival in the championship race.
In the opposite direction, Song Lam Nghe An had their first win this season when they defeated LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai with a score of 1-0.
However, Song Lam Nghe An faced a slight disadvantage when Phan Ba Quyen could not play due to receiving 3 yellow cards, the player who was replaced was Bui Dinh Chau. The remaining positions in Song Lam Nghe An's 3-5-2 formation remained unchanged compared to the victory over LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai in round 6.
With the home field advantage, as soon as the opening whistle blew, Ho Chi Minh City FC took the initiative to attack. The red battleship's attacks often targeted striker Ho Tuan Tai. And it was the former Nghe An striker who brought the free kick on the right wing for Ho Chi Minh City FC. However, the home team failed to turn the advantage into a goal.
Facing a team in good form, coach Phan Nhu Thuat chose a defensive counter-attacking strategy. That not only gave the Nghe team solid defense, but also opened up many opportunities to approach Le Giang's goal.
In the 12th minute, Van Huy flipped the ball towards the second post for Mario, the center back headed the ball into the middle of the opponent's goal. However, the Nghe An strikers could not get the desired approach.
After the first period of the home team taking the initiative, Song Lam Nghe An gradually regained the game and controlled the match better than the opponent. The midfielder of Song Lam Nghe An often had passes between the armpits of the central defender and the full-back of Ho Chi Minh City club. This way of playing opened up opportunities to approach the goal for the away team. However, Ngo Van Luong and Olaha lacked the sharpness to be able to shake Le Giang's net.
On the other hand, after initially controlling the ball, Ho Chi Minh City Club decided to choose a defensive counter-attacking style. In the 32nd minute, from a quick transition, Ho Tuan Tai made a reasonable pass to Bui Ngoc Long. However, this player, in a face-to-face encounter with Van Viet, was unable to score against Song Lam Nghe An.
In the second half, Ho Chi Minh City Club tried to put pressure on the opponent's field. In the 52nd minute, from a set piece situation, the team known as the red battleship created a storm in front of Van Viet's goal. However, Minh Tung's header could not hit the target.
Faced with the home team's dominance, coach Phan Nhu Thuat decided to send Success and Van Lam onto the field to replace Van Luong and Manh Quynh. The presence of this duo brought a bit of improvement in the Nghe An team's attacking play. In the 66th minute, from Van Lam's corner kick, the ball was cleared by the home team's defender, Quang Vinh from the second line rushed in and made a strong volley but it went over the bar.
In the 89th minute, Song Lam Nghe An had a chance to take all 3 points at Thong Nhat Stadium, when Success received a pass from his teammate. The striker handled the ball neatly and then volleyed it strongly, but Le Giang had a brilliant reflex to save the home team.
However, in the first minute of extra time, Song Lam Nghe An unexpectedly conceded a goal. Vuong Van Huy passed the ball back to goalkeeper Van Viet, but without looking, it became an own goal, causing the Nghe An team to leave Thong Nhat Stadium empty-handed.
On December 26, Song Lam Nghe An will continue to visit 19/8 Nha Trang Stadium to face host Khanh Hoa./.
