VietNamNet Bridge – Franco Cleiton scored one and set up another to salvage a point for Dong Tam Long An after trailing 2-0 in the V-League yesterday, May 19.

Photo: VNN

Cleiton's brilliance cancelled out the 2-0 advantage created in the first half by the visiting team Sai Gon Xuan Thanh with the help of Cameroonian striker Christian Jose Nsi Amougou, who opened the scoring and played an important role in the second.

Both teams entered the match with a thirst for points after losing last week to fall into the danger zone.

Under new Argentinean coach Marcelo Javier Juleta, Long An displayed a fresher face that contributed to an exciting first half.

However, it was Xuan Thanh who broke the deadlock after goalkeeper Nguyen Minh Nhut delivered a long ball towards Amougou up front and the 1.9m Cameroonian used his physical strength to dribble past Long An defenders before powering a shot into the top corner of the net.

Five minutes later, Amougou made the second goal after squaring the ball back to midfielder Moses Oloya, who twisted three Long An defender to feed the ball to unmarked Nguyen Duc Linh for an easy finish.

After the break, Long An took control and Juleta made the right decision to bring on ex-national team striker Phan Thanh Binh, who pulled a goal for Long An in the 72nd minute with a header.

Midfielder Nguyen Thanh Hai switched the ball to Cleiton on the left wing who headed the ball back towards the goalmouth and Binh, already lurking, rushed in to nod home.

New striker Franco Cleiton saved Juleta by equalizing seven minutes from time.

The visitors Xuan Thanh had their chances to win the match but were thwarted by brilliant saves from Nguyen Huynh Quoc Cuong.

In other matches yesterday, Ha Noi T&T came from 2-0 down to overcome in-form Hai Phong 3-2 in a thrilling game to climb to the fourth place in the table with 16 points.

Despite the loss, Hai Phong stay in third place, just a point ahead.

Thanh Hoa drew 2-2 at home with SHB Da Nang. Senegalese Abass Cheikh Dieng and Le Quoc were the scorers for Thanh Hoa while Sebastian Gaston Merlo scored both goals for Da Nang.

On Saturday, Song Lam Nghe An were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Dong Nai. Le Cong Vinh returned to open the scoring, but Ugandan striker Henry Kiseka earned a precious point for Dong Nai.

Despite their draw, Nghe An still top the table with 20 points after 10 games.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai continued their excellent form to extend their winning run to five with a convincing 2-0 victory over Vissai Ninh Binh. Nigerian striker Ganiyu Bolaji Oseni scored both goals for Gia Lai, helping them to reclaim second spot.

Kien Giang leapfrogged Becamex Binh Duong to lift themselves off the bottom of the table with a 4-2 win.

Source: VNS