SHB Da Nang disappointed their fans by losing 1-3 to Becamex Binh Duong (BD) at the city’s Hoa Xuan Stadium in Cam Le District on Wednesday afternoon.  This was the second consecutive loss for SHB DN at home after their disappointing 0-1 home loss to Song Lam Nghe An on 17 September in the 18^th round of the V-league.

Binh Duong and SHB DN players

SHB’s star Do Merlo opened the scoring for the home side in the 2^nd minute, but two minutes later, BD’s striker Anh Duc shot directly into the goal to level the score at 1-1.

In the 36^th minute, young striker Tien Linh sent a powerful header directly into the goal to raise the score to 1-2 for the visitors.

Taking advantage of the home team’s loose defence in the second half, BD’s striker Pereira Diogo Junior scored from a free kick on the left wing in the 57^th minute to give his team a convincing 1-3 win.

SHB’s hero Do Merlo was closely marked by BD’s midfielder Dinh Hoang Max and defender Michal Nguyen, so he couldnot show his best football skills.  The German-Kosovan midfielder Gramoz Kurtaj missed some scoring chances in the second half due to inaccurate shots.  In addition, SHB DN showed the crippling weaknesses in both defence and attack.  These seem to be the main reasons for SHB DN’s loss of flexible and varied attacking styles.

In the other first leg match on the same day, Song Lam Nghe An trounced Quang Nam 4-1 at the Vinh Stadium in Nghe An Province.

The second leg of these semi-finals will take place on 6 October at the Go Dau and Tam Ky stadiums.