Defender Nguyễn Sỹ Nam of Thanh Hóa vies for a ball against striker Jordy Soladio Kandolo of Sông Lam Nghệ An during their 0-0 match on February 7. — Photos courtesy of VPF

HÀ NỘI — Đông Á Thanh Hóa jumped to the top of the V.League 1 after a 0-0 draw against Sông Lam Nghệ An on February 7 at home. 

Coach Velizar Popov seemed not pleased with the result, saying that his team needed more time to perfect their attacking style.

Thanh Hóa attacked from the first second with a view to convert their home soil advantage into a goal. But the visitors strong defence denied all the hosts' attempts.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Popov said his players contributed 100 per cent of their ability in the match but did not show what they had prepared due to the poor quality of the grass field.

The Bulgarian tactician praised Sông Lam Nghệ An as a tough team, especially when their coach, Hoàng, arranged a team of five defenders and three defensive midfielders.

On the other side, coach Hoàng appreciated all his players who did a really good job keeping their sheet safe under the storming attacks of the hosts.

He said the rainy weather strongly affected the quality of the match. Sông Lam Nghệ An had chances to open the scoring but missed in the wet and poor quality field.

“The terrain prevented us from moving and keeping contact with each other. We have to play long balls to access the hosts' box. But players could not convert their opportunities into a goal," said Hoàng. “Thanh Hóa were in a good mood after a 3-0 win over Khánh Hòa last week. Their supporters gave them more energy in this match. I had to play with the 5-3-2 formation to resist them."

With one point from this match, Thanh Hóa topped the standing with four while Sông Lam Nghệ An had two points to be in fifth place.

Thanh Hóa will entertain Đà Nẵng while Sông Lam Nghệ An will play Hải Phòng on February 12.

Bình Định players celebrate their first goal in the 3-0 win over Khánh Hòa.

In the other game on February 7, TopenLand Bình Định found their first win of the season beating 10-man Khánh Hòa 3-0 at the Quy Nhơn Stadium.

Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes, Phạm Văn Thành and Jermie Dwayne Lynch scored for the hosts who jumped to fourth place. Their former bottom position went to Khánh Hòa who have lost their two matches.

Next week, Bình Định will host Becamex Bình Dương while Khánh Hòa visits HCM City. VNS