Matches in the 16^th round of Viet Nam’s top-tier V-League 2013 took place at stadiums across the country on 20 and 21 July.

Despite Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Hoang Anh Gia Lai at the Pleiku Stadium, SHB Da Nang now drop into 3^rd place in the league due to a win yesterday for Song Lam Nghe An who are now the new leaders.  

The top-of-the table clash on Saturday was an exciting, close-fought contest.  SHB DN were without defender Tan Dien (suspension) and striker Milorad (injured), and had midfielder Quoc Anh on the substitutes' bench. 

SHB DN's striker Merlo with the ball

Heavy rain during the first half made counter-attacks inefficient.  HAGL striker Oseni opened the scoring in the 15^th minute after latching on to an accurate pass from Evaldo.

After adjustments to SHB DN’s defensive and counter-attack tactics in the second half, midfielder Minh Phuong and then striker Merlo scored in the 71^st and 80^th minutes, and the visiting team finally took the lead – a lead which would have moved SHB DN above HAGL into the top spot. 

However, SHB DN’s loose defence gave their opponents the opportunity to level the score in the very last minute of second-half stoppage time.

In other matches, Ninh Binh defeated Saigon Xuan Thanh Cement 3-2 at home, whilst Dong Nai managed to draw 1-1 against Binh Duong at the Binh Duong Stadium. 

Ha Noi T&T were held to a 1-1 away draw by Kien Giang, while Vicem Hai Phong suffered a 4-3 defeat to Dong Tam Long An at the Lach Tray Stadium.  Song Lam Nghe An beat Thanh Hoa 2-0 in Sunday’s match at the Vinh City’s Stadium.

After the first 16 rounds, SLNA now top the league with 29 points, followed by HAGL on 28, and SHB DN on 27 but they still have a game in hand.  With just 6 more rounds left to play, things are very close at the top with 4 teams separated by only 2 points.  Binh Duong, Dong Tam Long An and Kien Giang are the bottom 3, with 16, 14 and 13 points respectively.

SHB DN’s next game is away to Dong Nai on Wednesday at 4pm.