A disappointing result for the visiting team...

(Baonghean) - Despite having to travel to Cam Pha Stadium, the young players of coach Ngo Quang Truong showed maturity with each match. After 90 minutes of play, the two teams delivered a spectacular match, befitting the current strength of the two "powerhouses". The 1-0 result accurately reflects what happened on the field, but for those who love beautiful football, there will certainly be a little regret for Phi Son and his teammates as they played a not-so-bad game.

Before this match, both SLNA and Than Quang Ninh had enjoyed incredibly successful periods with consecutive victories, and their current 21 points speak for themselves. It's worth noting that before this season, despite significant investment in a quality squad, the team from the mining region wasn't considered a "powerhouse" in Vietnamese football. However, even though V-League 2015 was only their second year in Vietnam's top football league, Than Quang Ninh showed they were not an easy opponent. This was especially true when playing at home with the passionate support of their fans – who were awarded the title of the most impressive fan club in the V-League last year.

A ball-contesting moment during the match. Photo: zing

As for the visiting team, the recurring financial difficulties have plagued SLNA for many recent seasons, and this year is no exception. However, at the moment, SLNA is showing itself to be the most promising and exciting team in the V-League with a modern playing style. Even though SLNA is undergoing a significant rejuvenation of its squad, Coach Ngo Quang Truong's team has never allowed its V-League opponents to underestimate them, consistently proving themselves. While experience and composure in the long-distance race remain to be seen, time will tell.

However, having lived and trained in a truly professional environment, SLNA players are increasingly showing cohesion and understanding both on and off the field. This is confirmed by their third-place position before the final match of the first half of this year's V-League. SLNA is also a team worth watching because their former "tough-tackling" style of play is now gone, replaced by a refined, flexible, and creative style of play with talents showing their abilities before their time. There's Ngoc Hai with his mature leadership in the midfield, Phi Son with his dynamic, "magical" footwork that dazzles every opponent, and Manh Hung with his all-around abilities in both defense and finishing… The combination of these talented young players with established veterans like Dinh Dong, Hoang Thinh, Sy Sam, and Quang Tinh has created the image of a strong and ambitious SLNA team.

According to statistics prior to this match, the two teams have only met twice in the V.League. SLNA won both matches against Than Quang Ninh (scoring 3 goals and conceding 1). In their last 5 V.League matches, Than Quang Ninh has only won 1 game (with 3 draws and 1 loss), while SLNA's record is 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Before the final round, SLNA is ranked 3rd with 21 points (goal difference +7), while Than Quang Ninh is ranked 6th with the same 21 points (goal difference +4).

Returning to the events at Cam Pha Stadium, Than Quang Ninh had all their best players available for this match, while SLNA's fans were hopeful of a victory at Cam Pha Stadium, similar to last season, thanks to the return of Hoang Thinh – the "heart" of their midfield who had been injured while training with the U23 national team at the recent SEA Games. Immediately after the opening whistle, both teams adopted a fast-paced style of play, creating numerous opportunities, but neither managed to capitalize. Meanwhile, both teams, aiming for a win to solidify their position, displayed excessive intensity, leading to numerous calls from referee Vo Minh Tri. The first half ended 0-0.

Entering the second half, SLNA's young players showed impatience, while the experienced players acquired by the team from the mining region displayed composure and experience. As a result, the home team created numerous clear scoring opportunities. In the 77th minute, the inevitable happened: Xuan Ngoc scored the opening goal for Than Quang Ninh. After conceding the goal, the home team's players repeatedly resorted to feigning injuries to waste time, further frustrating Coach Ngo Quang Truong's players. This impatience led to inaccurate long passes into the midfield from the young SLNA players. Despite playing with a "nothing to lose" attitude, their success from last season was not repeated at Cam Pha Stadium yesterday afternoon, with SLNA losing to Than Quang Ninh 0-1.

With this defeat, SLNA failed to maintain their third-place position at the end of the first half of the season, ceding it to their rivals. In the remaining matches, B. Binh Duong won 4-1 at home against HAGL; QNK Quang Nam and Sanna Khanh Hoa also won with the same score; SHB Da Nang, despite playing away, won 2-1 against Dong Nai FC; Hai Phong and Dong Thap ended 2-1; while at Thanh Hoa stadium, FLC Thanh Hoa secured a dramatic 4-3 victory against Dong Tam Long An; and Hanoi T&T staged a comeback against XSKT Can Tho with a 4-1 win. Thus, after the first half of the season, B. Binh Duong became the first-half champions. As for the young SLNA players, this defeat caused them to drop to 5th place. Therefore, in the second half of the season, which will take place next weekend, coach Ngo Quang Truong and his players will have to make a great effort if they want to regain their position. And the first challenge will be an away match against the reigning champions B. Binh Duong at Go Dau Stadium.

Canh Nam