Thanh Hoa claimed a narrow 1-0 away victory over Song Lam Nghe An in Round 7 of the 2024/2025 V.League 1 season, regaining the top position from Hoang Anh Gia Lai.
The two teams entered the match in contrasting form. Thanh Hoa has enjoyed a strong season with three wins, two draws, and just one loss, while Song Lam Nghe An has struggled, finding themselves in a relegation battle with no wins, four draws, and two losses. Financial difficulties have limited Song Lam Nghe An’s ability to sign quality players, forcing them to promote several young academy players to the first team.
The match began cautiously, with both teams struggling to create meaningful chances. Much of the action unfolded in midfield, with frequent stoppages breaking up the flow. However, Thanh Hoa unexpectedly took the lead in the 36th minute due to an error from Song Lam Nghe An. After a failed attack, a sloppy back pass allowed Thanh Hoa to initiate a quick counter-attack. Goalkeeper Van Viet initially saved Lucas’s shot in a one-on-one situation, but the ball rebounded to Ngoc My, who tapped it in to put the visitors ahead.
The second half saw a more open game as Song Lam Nghe An pushed forward in search of an equalizer. Despite their improved possession, the home side’s attacks lacked precision and failed to break through Thanh Hoa’s defense. Thanh Hoa also created a few opportunities, including a close miss by Antonio, whose shot veered just wide of the post. In the 56th minute, Lucas found the back of the net after two attempts, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Song Lam Nghe An’s challenge intensified when they were reduced to ten men. In the 79th minute, Van Thanh received a red card after initially being shown a yellow for a challenge on Lucas. Referee Dinh Thinh upgraded the card to red upon reviewing the incident via VAR.
Thanh Hoa missed a golden chance to double their lead in the second minute of added time. A through-ball sliced through Song Lam Nghe An’s defense, leaving two Thanh Hoa players alone with goalkeeper Van Viet. However, Thai Binh opted to shoot instead of passing to Lucas, allowing Van Viet to intercept the attempt.
In the remaining stoppage time, Thanh Hoa focused on solid defense, holding their lead to secure the 1-0 victory. This win lifted Thanh Hoa to 14 points, one point clear of Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Meanwhile, Song Lam Nghe An dropped to the bottom of the standings with four points, level with Da Nang and Hai Phong but with an inferior goal difference.
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