SHB DN missed a golden opportunity to be near the top of the V League when they only drew at home 3-3 against Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) last Saturday.  Whilst they could have now been in 3^rd or 4^th place, they have in fact fallen to at least 7^th (2 matches in this 9^th round remain to be played).  

SHB's midfielder Nguyen Thanh Hai (front)

SHB DN started the match very well, and their dominance paid off in the 7^th minute when their midfielder Nguyen Thanh Hai opened the scoring with a powerful header.

Five minutes later, HCMC midfielder Tran Thanh Binh’s perfect shot from distance levelled the score at 1-1.  Then in the 16^th minute, SHB DN midfielder Dang Anh Tuan's deflected shot made the score 2-1 to the home team. 

However, in the 35^th minute, a penalty kick was awarded to HCMC after SHB’s Argentinian midfielder Ezequiel David Britez tried to stop a shot by HCMC’s Tuan Dat in the penalty area.  The penalty kick was successfully converted by HCMC’s striker Víctor Manuel Ormazabal to level the score at 2-2.

Taking advantage of the home team's loose defence in the second-half, the visitors made continuous and varied attacks.  As a result, their striker Dyachenko Rodion Sergey sent a powerful header directly into the goal to raise the score to 2-3 in the 68^th minute.

After adjustments to their tactics, SHB’s midfielder Lam Anh Quang levelled the score with a perfect header in the 72^nd minute.  The game finally ended at 3-3.

In the other matches, Binh Duong were defeated by Quang Nam 0-1 at home, whilst Hoang Anh Gia Lai also suffered a home loss, 0-2 to Sanna Khanh Hoa.

Hai Phong played out a goalless draw at home against current leaders FLC Thanh Hoa, and Sai Gon beat Song Lam Nghe An 3-1 at home.

FLC Thanh Hoa still top the league with 19 points, followed by Quang Nam on 16 and Sanna Khanh Hoa on 15.  SHB DN are now in 7^th place on 13 points. Can Tho and Long An are the bottom pair, with 5 and 4 points respectively but each have a game in hand.

SHB DN will next play against bottom club Long An on Sunday 19 March at 5.30pm.