Song Lam Nghe An accepts defeat against Hoang Anh Gia Lai
(Baonghean.vn) - Song Lam Nghe An could not escape the second-to-last position in the rankings after losing to host Hoang Anh Gia Lai with a score of 0-1. The match was in round 17 of V.League 2023/24, taking place at Pleiku Stadium.
Currently, after 16 rounds, Song Lam Nghe An has 15 points and is second from last in the rankings. The opponent of the Nghe team in round 17 - Hoang Anh Gia Lai is ranked 2 places higher and has 3 more points. Therefore, in order to avoid receiving a ticket to the play-off, Song Lam Nghe An needs to escape the empty-handed situation when playing away at Pleiku Stadium.
Notably, before this round, Song Lam Nghe An decided to change the upper management. Mr. Ho Le Duc was appointed by the Club President as General Director of Song Lam Nghe An to replace Mr. Truong Manh Linh. With this change, Nghe An players will definitely be determined to win as a gift to welcome the new General Director.
In order to realize the above task, coach Phan Nhu Thuat has made some adjustments in the starting lineup compared to the previous match. Accordingly, the defense includes: Mai Sy Hoang, Le Van Thanh, Mario Zebic and Vuong Van Huy. The midfield is renewed when Van Lam and Quang Vinh are on the field from the start. Thus, Ba Quyen and Van Lam will play together in the midfield; playing on the 2 wings will be Manh Quynh and Quang Vinh. On the attack line, as usual, is still the duo Olaha and Phan Xuan Dai.
On the other side of the front line, Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s mainstays were all used from the start. Among them, Minh Vuong, Duc Viet, Thanh Binh, Joao Henrique… will shoulder the attacking role for the home team.
Despite playing away, in the first minutes of the match, Song Lam Nghe An was the team that controlled the game and put great pressure on Hoang Anh Gia Lai's field. With diverse attacking situations, coach Phan Nhu Thuat's students created dangerous opportunities in front of goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung's goal.
In the 5th minute, from a technical lob by his teammate, Xuan Dai faced goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung, but the striker born in 2003 shot too softly. The ball was still under Xuan Dai's control, the striker wearing the number 21 shirt passed the ball to Van Lam, but this midfielder's shot missed the target.
With the goal of gaining points on the away field, Song Lam Nghe An proactively pressed right on the opponent's field. With this way of playing, coach Phan Nhu Thuat's team caused a lot of confusion for Hoang Anh Gia Lai's defense.
Despite many attacks but not scoring, Song Lam Nghe An unexpectedly conceded a goal from a set piece. Hoang Anh Gia Lai opened the scoring in the 19th minute of the match. From a corner kick, center back Gabriel Dias jumped high to head the ball, but was blocked by Vuong Van Huy on the goal line. However, striker Dinh Thanh Binh rushed in to score the rebound from close range.
After scoring the goal, Hoang Anh Gia Lai seemed to gain more confidence. The home team coordinated well and created many opportunities to penetrate Van Viet's penalty area.
In the 37th minute, center back Jairo Filho suddenly rose up, dribbled the ball from the left wing into the penalty area and then passed it to Joao Henrique, but this striker did not control the first step well, so Ba Quyen was able to block it in time.
In the final minutes of the first half, Hoang Anh Gia Lai created many situations that could have doubled the gap, but were all unsuccessful. Therefore, the first 45 minutes of the match ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of the Mountain City club.
Entering the second half, realizing that the home team could not put pressure on Bui Tien Dung's goal, coach Phan Nhu Thuat decided to put Xuan Tien and Success on the field to replace Manh Quynh and Xuan Dai.
The presence of this duo still could not help Song Lam Nghe An regain control of the game from the home team. It was not until the 78th minute that the Nghe An team created the first dangerous opportunity of the second half. From a cross from the right wing by Quang Vinh, Van Lam was there to head the ball over the crossbar when Tien Dung was helpless.
In the final minutes of the match, although Song Lam Nghe An tried their best, they still could not put the ball into the home team's net. Therefore, 1-0 in favor of Hoang Anh Gia Lai was the final score of the match.
Round 18, Song Lam Nghe An returned to Vinh Stadium to welcome Ho Chi Minh City Club.
