V.League: Song Lam Nghe An deprived of home win after stoppage-time penalty

Despite holding the lead until the 90th minute, Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) missed out on a home win against Saigon FC in their matchday 16 encounter on July 16, as the guests converted a stoppage-time penalty to secure a precious point away with a 2-2 draw.

Wednesday, July 17, 2019 04:30

Joel Vinicius equalises the score for Song Lam Nghe An with a successful penalty converter. (Photo: VPF)

>>> V.League preview: Hanoi FC expected to redeem themselves after regrettable draw

Joel Vinicius and Ho Tuan Tai missed good openings for the hosts in the first 11 minutes before Saigon FC took a sudden lead with a 32^nd-minute free-kick from Pedro Paulo.

However, Nguyen Duc Thang’s side needed only four minutes to level the score, as Duc Loi’s handball in the box earned them a penalty. From the spot, newly signed Vinicius made good use of the opportunity to score his first goal for SLNA.

Inspired by the equaliser, SLNA continued to intensify their attacks and successfully turned the tables 12 minutes into the second half, with Tuan Tai heading a cornerkick past Saigon keeper Van Phong.

With time running out, the hosts proactively slowed down their pace and tightened their defence aiming to safeguard the narrow advantage.

Song Lam Nghe An (in yellow) are enjoying a nine-game unbeaten home-field run in V.League. (Photo: VPF)

While it appeared to be a hard-fought win for Nguyen Duc Thang’s troops, Van Khanh gifted Saigon a penalty as a result of his brutal infringement on Geovane in stoppage time. Pedro Paulo did not make any mistake from the spot, blasting a low drive past goalie Nguyen Manh to prevent the visitors from returning home empty-handed.

With the 2-2 draw, SLNA continued to extend their impressive unbeaten home-field run to nine games, but still stand in fifth place in the table, two points behind the top three.

The remaining clashes of the 2019 V.League matchday 16 will take place at stadiums nationwide today (July 17).