VietNamNet Bridge – Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) secured their fourth win yesterday after beating Sai Gon FC 3-2 in the 16th round of the V.League 1.

Phan Van Duc celebrates scoring for Song Lam Nghe An in the 16th round of V.League 1 yesterday. – Photo baonghean.vn

National U23 star Phan Van Duc shone with two goals to help SLNA to the win.

Both sides are battling relegation, but the match got off to a relatively slow start and it wasn’t until the 40th that Sai Gon captain Nguyen Ngoc Duy made the breakthrough from the penalty spot after being fouled by Hoang Van Khanh.

SLNA nearly equalised before half time but Xuan Thang’s shot was thwarted by goalie Tong Duc An.

After the break, SLNA fought back strongly with support from the home fans.

Midfielder Duc coolly placed a header past goalie An to level the score at 1-1 in the 56th minute, and he was on target again 10 minutes later to put SLNA  2-1 up, scoring his seventh goal of the campaign.

SLNA were fluid up front but their defence switched off at a corner to allow rookie Ngo Anh Vu to level the score at 2-2.

However, taking full advantage of a foul, striker Michael Olaha won the match for hosts SLNA.

In other games played yesterday, HCM City drew with Can Tho 3-3, Nam Dinh beat Da Nang 4-2 and defending champions Quang Nam lost to top team Hanoi 1-2.

SLNA have climbed to eighth in the table with 20 points, while Sai Gon are bottom out of 14 teams with only 13 points. Hanoi have established a 16-point lead over Thanh Hoa with 41 points after 16 games.

Next Sunday will see SLNA meet Hai Phong, Quang Nam face Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Sai Gon take on Nam Dinh.

Source: VNS