Song Lam Nghe An claim first win at home

Nghe An (in yellow) claim their first win at home after beating Thanh Hoa 4-0 on February 1.

Cheered on by home fans, Nghe An players had a successful game on a rainy, cold afternoon. Actively attacking after the first whistle sounded, an early goal in the 8th minute put the home team ahead with more favourable conditions. From a corner kick on the right, Ngoc Hai’s header found a guest defender’s leg before going into the net, opening the scoring for SLNA.

Nghe An then sped up the pace of goal scoring with Ho Tuan Tai doubling the scoring to 2-0 in the 20th minute.

The absence of several key players made it difficult for Thanh Hoa to transform opportunities into goals.

The second half progressed without much change; the home team still dominated the game and created a range of dangerous situations for the visitor’s goalkeeper To Vinh Loi. Two consecutive goals by national team member Ngo Hoang Thinh at the 76th and 78th minutes dashed hopes of Thanh Hoa for scoring at Vinh Stadium.

* On the same day, the team at the bottom of the ladder, SHB Da Nang, managed their first win after six rounds, beating the previous round’s winner LG Hai Phong 2-0 in their clash at Chi Lang Stadium.

* Playing in this year’s tournament for the first time, national team striker Le Cong Vinh scored a goal that helped Binh Duong defeat host Can Tho 3-1 at Can Tho Stadium.

* Among other matches, Sanna Khanh Hoa tied with Dong Tam Long An with a goalless result; the ten players of Hanoi T&T crushed Dong Nai 2-0; Hoang Anh Gia Lai disappointed home fans with a 1-2 loss to Quang Ninh Coal; while Dong Thap beat Quang Nam QNK 3-0.

* With all matches played, the sixth round ended up with defending champions Becamex Binh Duong regaining the top spot from Quang Ninh Coal with 15 points, followed by Hai Phong with 13 points. SHB Da Nang, Dong Nai and Can Tho are still stuck at the bottom.