Ho Chi Minh City wins against Binh Dinh

Coach Phung Thanh Phuong and his team broke their two-match losing streak when they came from behind to win 2-1 against Binh Dinh in round 11 of V-League 2023-2024.

Returning to Thong Nhat Stadium after two defeats at Hang Day against Hanoi Police and Hanoi FC, Ho Chi Minh City also lost a player when striker Timite was suspended. Coach Phung Thanh Phuong could only use two foreign players Brendon Lucas and Wander Luiz, along with young players like Vinh Nguyen, Ngoc Long and Thanh Khoi.

On the contrary, the away team Binh Dinh has a full squad and high morale after defeating the top team Nam Dinh in round 10.

Ho Chi Minh City won against Binh Dinh in round 11 of V-League 2023-2024. — Tung Quoc (middle) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the equalizer 1-1 for Ho Chi Minh City in the match at Thong Nhat Stadium on the evening of February 28. Photo: *Duc Dong*

However, the home team started the game better. In the 3rd minute, Vo Huy Toan entered the penalty area and faced the Binh Dinh goalkeeper, but his shot went over the bar. In the 16th minute, Ngoc Long escaped from the left wing and crossed for rookie Wander Luiz to tap the ball close to the goal. However, Cao Van Trien was able to retreat and clear the ball.

After about 20 minutes of relentless attacks, Ho Chi Minh City could not maintain the pressure. Binh Dinh gained control of the game thanks to that. However, the away team's strikers were not sharp enough to defeat goalkeeper Patrick Le Giang. In the last minute of the first half, Huy Toan crossed the ball from the left wing for Luiz to jump high and head the ball wide of the goal.

After the break, Ho Chi Minh City continued to attack impressively, with attacks on the flanks. However, just when they were excited, they were punctured by a mistake from goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang. In the 52nd minute, the Vietnamese-American goalkeeper fumbled and failed to catch a pass from his teammate, leading to a corner kick. Immediately after, he misjudged the landing point, letting the ball fly behind, creating an opportunity for Ngoc Bao to head the ball across the corner to open the score.

However, Ho Chi Minh City was not discouraged, maintained the pressure and equalized about 10 minutes later. From a clearance by center back Adriano Schmidt, the ball came to Ngo Tung Quoc's feet. The home team's right back volleyed diagonally to equalize the score.

Tung Quoc then took the ball, making a big belly as if to announce the good news. On the other side of the goal, goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang ran to hug the coaching staff and then ran to the middle of the field and jumped high. He seemed to be relieved of the pressure after his teammates helped him correct his mistake.

With high morale, Ho Chi Minh City continued to attack coherently. In the 73rd minute, they were awarded a penalty when Vietnamese-American defender Adriano Schmidt let the ball touch his hand in the penalty area. From the 11m mark, Luiz defeated goalkeeper Minh Hoang, raising the score to 2-1.

In the remaining minutes, the two teams played tit for tat but did not have any more significant opportunities. The away team sent Mac Hong Quan and Nghiem Xuan Tu onto the field, but could not penetrate the tight defense of Ho Chi Minh City.

With this result, Ho Chi Minh City moved up to sixth place with 15 points, while Binh Dinh ranked fifth with 19 points.