VietNamNet Bridge – Song Lam Nghe An crushed newly promoted Quang Nam 6-1 at home in the second round of the V-League 2014 on January 19, to take over as top team, based upon their goal difference.

Overjoyed: Song Lam Nghe An players celebrate their win 6-1 over Quang Nam in the second round of the V-League 2014 on January 19. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

Biayaga Paul Emile grabbed a brace and Tran Phi Son scored for the home team in the first half, while midfielder Nguyen Hong Viet, Ndjodo Edouard and Le Cong Vinh each scored in the second half to complete the rout.

Also, Adamu Yahaya scored Quang Nam's consolation goal in the second half.

The victory helped SLNA earn six points after two wins, the same number of points as Ha Noi T&T, but sits atop the V-League 2014 standings because of a better goal difference.

Despite playing at home in front of a large crowd of fans against the newcomer, Nghe An treated Quang Nam, who beat another newcomer, Hung Vuong An Giang in the first round, with respect as the match kicked off, but the opening goal still came just four minutes into the match, following the combination of Vinh and Emile.

From an attack, Vinh moved the ball to the edge of the box and rose high to head the ball into the path of Emile, who skilfully used his belly to round the ball past a Quang Nam defender, before driving the ball past the keeper.

Quang Nam, despite playing with all they have, did not display enough talent in the midfield or front line to counter the home team's attacks, or to create enough clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities for the equaliser.

In fact, coach Vu Quang Bao's team never threatened goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh during the entire first half, who did not work hard, as coach Nguyen Huu Thang's players burst into action after the opening and quickly scored the second goal.

A long through-ball from their end of the pitch reached Son, who cut in from the right wing, twisting two defenders while dribbling the ball back to the goal's front, before releasing a low shot to beat Quang Nam's keeper Pham Hong Diep.

The visiting team's fate had been decided at seven minutes before half-time when Emile scored his second goal to put a win beyond a doubt for the hosts.

The score could have been 4-0 at four minutes from the interval if the referee had not made a mistake by disallowing Vinh's goal. Vinh was not in an offside position, though the lineman raised his flag.

Nghe An completely controlled the second half and played as if they were in a training session, easily adding three more goals to become the second team winning both rounds.

In the other match of the day, Hung Vuong An Giang earned their first V-League point after a goalless draw at home with Dong Nai.

On Saturday, Dong Tam Long An was held to a 2-2 draw at home, while Thanh Hoa climbed to third place after surprising Da Nang 1-0 with the winning goal being scored in the last minute of a seven-minute added time.

Source: VNS