Despite playing behind closed doors amid the COVID-19 fears and without the leadership of manager Nguyen Van Sy (absent due to a family-related reason), Nam Dinh still cruised to a convincing triumph thanks to two goals by newly signed Do Merlo and Sy Minh.
Confronting a Hong Linh Ha Tinh side with little V.League experience, it was not surprising at all that the hosts promptly took control from the start of the match.
After 22 minutes, Do Merlo made effective use of his 1.95m height to put Nam Dinh ahead with a powerful close-range header following Xuan Quyet’s convenient cross from the right flank.
Nam Dinh came close to doubling their advantage a few minutes later with Xuan Quyet feeding a pass to place Rafaelson in a one-on-one with the Ha Linh keeper; however, the Brazilian forward unexpectedly shot the ball high.
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Hong Linh Ha Tinh captain Le Tan Tai (L) and Nam Dinh FC's Do Merlo in action during their match. (Photo: VPF)
The home side wasted another clear-cut chance in the 61st minute, as Manh Hung hit the crossbar after a clever cross from Manh Hung.
It was not until the 71st minute that Nam Dinh’s constant attacks were rewarded, with Sy Minh firing a long-range strike at the post before the ball rolled into an empty net in the helplessness of keeper Quang Tuan.
Hong Linh Ha Tinh managed to reduce the gap by 1-2 thanks to a rebound header by Bruno three minutes later, but the goal was not enough to rescue the guests from their second consecutive defeat.
With the victory, Nam Dinh got their first three points of the 2020 V.League season and temporarily stood in eighth position in the table. Meanwhile, the poor display has kept Hong Linh Ha Tinh rooted to the bottom with zero points, thus making their relegation race even more arduous.
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Song Lam Nghe An players celebrate their solitary goal against Becamex Binh Duong. (Photo: VPF)
In another fixture on the same day, Song Lam Nghe An edged past Becamex Binh Duong on home turf thanks to a 47th-minute header by Phan Van Duc, thus climbing to second place in the table with four points.
Earlier on March 13, Hai Phong FC were held to a home 1-1 draw by Quang Nam FC.
