SHB Da Nang ended a run of 4 defeats in this year’s league and National Cup with a convincing 3-0 home win over Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) last Saturday.

SHB’s Do Merlo (in orange) with the ball

SHB’s coach Nguyen Minh Phuong made effective adjustments to their defensive and counter-attack tactics in order to overcome the tough challenge and win the match.

In particular, the release of Vo Huy Toan and Hoang Minh Tam from the beginning of the game helped SHB midfielders to take more control of the midfield, and facilitate captain Do Merlo to enhance his attacks from there.

Meanwhile, HCMC had to compete in the game with midfielder Tran Phi Son whose injury has not healed. Striker Nguyen Hai Anh and midfielder Paulo Daniel Fernandes Tavares left the pitch after being injured.

In addition, the absence of midfielder Truong Dinh Luat created many chances for the strike duo of Do Merlo and Pereira Diogo Junior, along with midfielder Ewode, to show their professional skills to produce their perfect combination.

Ewode opened the scoring for SHB DN in the 30^th minute. After that, Do Merlo increased the score to 2-0 with a powerful header in the 54^th minute. In the 82^nd minute, midfielder Ho Ngoc Thang scored the third to give his team a convincing 3-0 win.

The other match results were:

                 Sai Gon FC 1 - 1 Sanna Khanh Hoa

                      Can Tho 2 - 2 Hoang Anh Gia Lai       

 Becamex Binh Duong 2 - 1 Hai Phong

                 Quang Nam 1 -1 Song Lam Nghe An

                    Nam Dinh 0 - 2 Ha Noi

        Than Quang Ninh 1- 3 Thanh Hoa

Ha Noi FC currently top the league with 20 points, followed by Quang Ninh on 14, and Binh Duong and Sanna Khanh Hoa both on 13. SHB DN are in 8^th place on 10 points. Song Lam Nghe An and Nam Dinh are the bottom pair, with 7 and 4 points respectively.

SHB DN will next play Binh Duong at home on Friday 25 May at 5.00pm in the Hoa Xuan Stadium in Cam Le District.