HÀ NỘI — Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA) had victory within their grasp, but a lack of focus in the closing minutes meant they shared points with Quảng Ninh Coal in the 23^rd round of V.League 1 yesterday.

SLNA tied 2-2 with Quảng Ninh in the game held at Cẩm Phả Stadium in the northern province of Quảng Ninh.

With the support of home fans, Quảng Ninh played actively and put the pressure on the visiting side’s goal. However, SLNA played more effectively.

In the 34th minute, Jermie Lynch opened the score for SLNA. Just a minute later, Lynch took full advantage of an error by Quảng Ninh’s defence to double the score for the visitors.

In the second half, Teofilo Soares Eydison scored two goals for Quảng Ninh in the 86th and 88th minutes.

In another match, Khánh Hòa tied 0-0 with hosts SHB Đà Nẵng.

Despite playing away, Khánh Hòa controlled the game from the opening whistle.

In the 10th minute, midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Chí had the chance to score the opener for Khánh Hòa but keeper Nguyễn Thanh Bình easily managed a save.

Several minutes later, striker Youssouf Toure overcame the hosts’ defence to face goalkeeper Bình but the ball hit the cross bar.

The hosts then bounced back. They had the first dangerous opening on Khánh Hòa’s goal in the 18th minute. Striker Hà Đức Chinh shot from the outside of the penalty area but former national goalie Nguyễn Tuấn Mạnh parried it.

The two sides then went on the attack but no goals were scored in the first half.

After the break, coach Võ Đình Tân of Khánh Hòa changed his tactics and squad in chase of goals. However, they were still short of luck and failed to find the net.

HAGL to face Hà Nội

The national premier league’s 23^rd round will continue today. All eyes will be on the match between Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) and champions Hà Nội FC at Pleiku Stadium in Gia Lai Province.

The team from the capital have already won the league with five games still to play. However, the match is expected to be an interesting battle with members of the Việt Nam U23 team who shone at the AFC U23 Championship held in China in January and the recent Asian Games in Indonesia facing off.

Hà Nội midfielders Nguyễn Quang Hải and Đỗ Duy Mạnh will face national teammates Nguyễn Công Phượng, Nguyễn Văn Toàn, Trần Minh Vương and Lương Xuân Trường.

It will be difficult for HAGL to make the top four with just three rounds to play, and they’ll be without defender Vũ Văn Thanh due to an injury that is expected to keep him out for at least two weeks.

HAGL’s captain Lương Xuân Trường will also be missig following minor nose surgery.

However, HAGL will welcome the return of striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn and midfielder Josip Zeba after suspension.

Croatian Zeba is expected to slot into the defence for HAGL, while Toàn will offer more options up front.

Phượng is likely to be a bright spot for HAGL today after scoring two goals in the match with HCM City last Friday to raise his tally in the league to 10.

“We are determined to take three three points from the game. We will make every effort to play an attractive and successful match,” said coach Dương Minh Ninh of HAGL.

Elsewhere, Thanh Hóa will take on Quảng Nam, Bình Dương meet Cần Thơ and Hải Phòng face Nam Định. — VNS