>>> V.League Matchday 4 preview: All eyes on Ho Chi Minh City derby
Three successive losses had left SHB Da Nang at bottom of the table with zero points, and plunged Duc’s future into doubt. A victory in the central region derby on Thursday would be a must for the 48-year-old tactician to defend his manager’s chair at Hoa Xuan stadium.
With home-field advantage, SHB Da Nang proactively deployed attacks right from the first whistle, and cruised to an early lead with Jelic Igor beating goalkeeper Van Cuong with a low free-kick in the 15th minute. However, the guests only needed another 15 minutes to level the score, as Ibou Kebe fired in on the rebound after SHB Da Nang goalie Nguyen Tuan Manh managed to parry a powerful long-range strike by Nguyen Hong Son.
Shortly before halftime, the 2012 champions restored their advantage with Ismaheel feeding a favourable assist from the right flank for Grace Tanda to slot in from close range.
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The hosts added another goal just two minutes after the break as Ismaheel skilfully controlled a high ball with his chest before shooting past Quang Nam goalkeeper Van Cuong in a one-on-one to bring it to 3-1.
With their confidence strongly boosted, SHB Da Nang continued to maintain control in the remainder of the match and comfortably scored three additional goals thanks to Van Long (63’), Ismaheel (70’) and A Mit (86’), thus wrapping up with a resounding 6-1 rout of their neighbouring rivals.
The convincing victory handed SHB Da Nang their first three points in V.League 2020. More importantly, it helped manager Le Huynh Duc to temporarily consolidate his chair at Hoa Xuan Stadium which has been strongly shaken over the past few days.
In another match on Thursday, goalkeeper Van Toan of Hai Phong FC also had a “nightmare” as his side conceded five unanswered goals to former champions Becamex Binh Duong in a lopsided match in favour of the home side.
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Nguyen Tien Linh (C) celebrates with teammates after doubling the advantage for Becamex Binh Duong.
Becamex Binh Duong produced a three-goal halftime lead thanks to Tan Tai (8’), Tien Linh (21’) and Duy Khanh (40’), before Sy Giap completed a double in the second half (76’, 90’+4) to seal a commanding 5-0 triumph for the hosts.
Viettel FC temporarily climbed to the top spot of the table with eight points after playing out a 1-1 home draw against Quang Ninh Coal on the same day.
Matchday 4 will continue today (June 12) with the four remaining matches, including Hoang Anh Gia Lai-Nam Dinh FC, Thanh Hoa FC-Song Lam Nghe An, Hong Linh Ha Tinh-Hanoi FC and Ho Chi Minh City-Saigon FC.
