BÌNH DƯƠNG — Bình Dương on Friday beat Nam Định 2-1, ending a 90-minute match with overwhelming cheers from supporters at Gò Đậu stadium in the southern province of Bình Dương.

The visiting team – rookies in V-League 2018 in the second round – lost the fight but considered their performance a victory in the eyes of fans, especially after their Herculean efforts in scoring one goal passed the rivals.

After the match, Bình Dương’s coach Trần Minh Chiến confessed on Zing online newspaper that he was “envious” of Nam Định’s warm support from fans.

In the match, Bình Dương leant of the experience of striker Anh Đức and other players such as Tấn Tài, Tấn Trường, Đinh Hoàng Max, who played well in the first half. They prevailed over the visitors as the whistle blew for half time.

After leading with two goals, Bình Dương relented in their attack. This gave Nam Định the opportunity to increase the pressure and continuously presented a threat towards Tấn Trường’s goal. Nam Định finally narrowed the score to 1-2 in the 61st minute with a goal by Phạm Văn Thuận.

The match attracted about 1,000 Nam Định supporters to the stadium. The presence of Nam Định players, and especially their fans, had breathed new life into V.League 2018, creating a more exciting and inspiring atmosphere. 

 Determined to win

Coach Trương Việt Hoàng said Hải Phòng FC would take advantage of home turf and support to beat Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in the V. League today in northern city of Hải Phòng.

Hải Phòng did not have good start at the national premier league after losing 0-1 to Hà Nội FC last week.

The team was also fined VNĐ20 million (US$900) because their fans burnt flares near the end of the match.

However, Hoàng believed that it was not a big problem that could affect their team’s determination.

“It was just the first round and some of the players had not integrated with the league’s pressures. Facing Hoàng Anh Gia Lai this weekend in the second round is also a challenge for us but I think that the supporters’ encouragement will be strong force to push us up,” said Hoàng, and added that his best players would compete in the match.

Foreign striker Andre Fagan was also confident of scoring a goal in the coming match.

He said he would try his best and hoped to score a goal. Hoàng Anh Gia Lai’s defence would have to work hard to stop him.

The Jamaican player also asked his teammates to be careful against that potential team.

He said Hoàng Anh Gia Lai was home to young and talented players such as Xuân Trường, Tuấn Anh and Công Phượng. They were masters at moving with and without ball and passing very accurately.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai’s manager Dương Minh Ninh was also confident about his players.

“Playing in Hải Phòng means we will be under heavy pressure from their ecstatic fans. But we still have our advantage. Our U-23 players have received love from supporters in the whole nation. When they play well the fans will definitely encourage them,” Ninh said.

“The only concern here is how to make them compete at their peak,” said the coach who admitted that his players performed below expectation in their 0-0 draw against Becamex Bình Dương last week.

In today’s match, the visitors will have their newcomer Gordon Rimario Allan. The Jamaican striker is expected to make his mark on his debut at the Lạch Tray Stadium.

The match has grabbed the attention of thousands of supporters who surrounded Lạch Tray’s booths from 3pm on Thursday, just minutes after the organisers started selling tickets.

They wanted to support their club as well as witness six U-23 players of the visiting side. It roused a ticket fever in the postal city.

Many of them expected to buy tickets on the black market. The original prices from VNĐ20,000 to VNĐ60,000 went up three times.

In the last season, Hải Phòng won 2-1 in the first leg match and lost 1-2 in the second.

Elsewhere, Sông Lam Nghệ An will welcome Sanna Khánh Hòa; Cần Thơ will entertain Hà Nội FC; SHB Đà Nẵng will host defending champions Quảng Nam; HCM City FC will visit FLC Thanh Hóa, and Quảng Ninh Coal will play Sài Gòn FC. — VNS