Quang Nam miss out on chance to overthrow Thanh Hoa

Quang Nam FC missed the chance to snatch top spot from FLC Thanh Hoa after being held to a 1-1 draw by the guests in their seventh-round encounter of the 2017 V-League on February 25.

Quang Nam and FLC Thanh Hoa are the two only teams to remain an unbeaten run so far this season.

Targeting the full three points to overtake leaders Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam players started the match with full determination.

The home side took control in the opening minutes but failed to break through the guests’ solid defence.

In contrast, with a disturbing counterattack strategy, it was Thanh Hoa who possessed more scoring opportunities, notably including Uche’s strike which was blocked by goalie Van Cuong and Tien Thanh’s header stopped at the goal line.

After the break, Quang Nam put up pressure seeking an opener. Their efforts paid off in the 59th minute as Dai Duong broke the deadlock with a close-range touch from Dinh Thang’s cross.

However, Quang Nam’s joy was short-lived as just two minutes later, striker Uche marked his return with an equalising shot from close range.

The remainder of the match witnessed Thanh Hoa’s domination, but none of their attacks were successfully converted into a decisive goal.

Playing out a 1-1 draw, both teams continued to build on their undefeated run since the beginning of the season; however, Quang Nam fans were disappointed after the team were unable to make use of the home-field advantage to snatch the top position from direct opponents Thanh Hoa.

In other matches, reigning champions Hanoi FC retained their third place after a goalless draw with Becamex Binh Duong, while Quang Ninh Coal thrashed Saigon by three straight goals to come in fourth position.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai jumped to fifth with ten points following their commanding 3-0 victory against bottom-place Long An.

Song Lam Nghe An and Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN emerged as 2-1 victors over SHB Da Nang and Hai Phong, while Ho Chi Minh City edged out XSKT Can Tho 1-0.