Vietnam PetroGas V-League 2007, Week 13: Dong Tam Long An held at home

Dong Tam Long An dominated the game and came from behind to take a 2-1 victory through a brace by Antonio Rodrigues, who was helpless when Southern Steel Saigon Port opened the scoring. The ball deflected off Rodrigues after Marcelo Da Silva”s freekick, giving giant goalkeeper Fabio Dos Santos no chances.

Cao Tung A Vy cancelled out the home side”s effort on the hour mark as Southern Steel Saigon Port reportedly gave their best performance so far in the season, but the match finally was marred by time wasting by some of their players.

Dong Tam Long An were determined to earn a good result in the final game of the first stage of the national championship/V-League and dominated the game from kick-off. Their attacking line was led by Rodrigue, Tshamala Kabanga, Phan Van Tai Em and Nguyen Minh Phuong causing many troubles to Southern Steel Saigon Port defence.

The visitors are dangerous at playing a counterattacking game. Da Silva, who was given a chance after Helio Da Silva Assis was suspended, inspired the visitors” attacks.

Da Silva came close to opening the scoring after 16 minutes when his finish to the far corner went just centimetres wide.

Six minutes later, Da Silva helped Southern Steel Saigon Port take the lead as his 20 metre freekick deflected off Rodrigues and changing direction before finding the back of the net.

Going 1-0 down, Dong Tam Long An accelerated their passing game to seek an equaliser. Their effort paid off when Rodrigues headed home, finishing off Minh Phuong”s corner kick on 27 minutes.

The two teams continued to play an open game with many opportunities.

Minh Phuong had a good game against his former club and two minutes after Rodrigues”s goal, the midfielder came close to helping Dong Tam Long An take the lead when his lobbed ball hit the cross bar. 

Southern Steel Saigon Port replied almost immediately when Nguyen Minh Chuyen himself hit the crossbar.

Four minutes from half-time, Rodrigues scored his second goal for Dong Tam Long An with Minh Phuong provider. 

After the break, Dong Tam Long An started to play a defensive game with centreback Phan Thanh Giang brought on for striker Viet Thang and the hosts paid the price.

Tired midfield Nguyen Thanh Truc was dispossessed by Kleber Dis Santos, who made a through ball for A Vy to level the score. 

Dong Tam Long An increased their pressure on the visitors” defence but failed to crack.

Southern Steel Saigon Port started to waste time to defend their point, which marred their best performance so far this season.

A draw left Steel Saigon Port in the relegation zone but they will escape it if when they  finish the 24 minutes of the abandoned match between them and Da Nang on June 1 with a victory.

The match was suspended when Southern Steel Saigon Port were leading 2-0.

By contrast, the draw kept Dong Tam Long An on sixth place in the table with 11 points adrift of leaders Binh Duong.

NhanDan