(Football result) - The Ho Chi Minh City derby was tense and fast-paced, but the moment from the 11-meter spot and the excellent performance of goalkeeper Minh Toàn led CA TP.HCM to suffer their second consecutive defeat in the V.League.
The Ho Chi Minh City derby between CA TP.HCM and Becamex TP.HCM was lively from the very first minutes. The away team proactively pushed their formation high, continuously applying pressure in search of an early goal. However, CA TP.HCM quickly responded with fast-paced attacks down the flanks, creating an exciting back-and-forth contest.
In the 23rd minute, the home team had a notable opportunity when Quang Hùng delivered an awkward cross from the right flank. The ball bounced around chaotically in the penalty area before reaching Endrick's feet, but this foreign player could not finish successfully due to timely pressure from the opposing defender. Earlier, Becamex TP.HCM also showed initiative with consecutive pressing situations, but the CA TP.HCM defense held firm.
Late in the first half, Quốc Cường had a speedy solo run before unleashing a powerful shot that forced goalkeeper Minh Toàn to push the ball away. Unfortunately, in the follow-up situation, a CA TP.HCM player's shot then hit the crossbar, much to their regret. The two teams left for halftime with a 0-0 score.
Entering the second half, the match remained open. In the 47th minute, from a long clearance in their own half, Tiến Linh broke through one-on-one and attempted a skillful lob. However, goalkeeper Minh Toàn rushed out very quickly to neutralize it. The turning point came in the 62nd minute when the referee consulted VAR and awarded Becamex TP.HCM a penalty after a handball incident involving Gia Bảo in the box. From the 11-meter spot, Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường coolly scored the opening goal in the 68th minute.
In the final minutes, CA TP.HCM launched an all-out attack. In the 76th minute, a beautiful combination between Khoa Ngô and Tiến Linh set up Thanh Bình for a shot, but his effort was too weak. In the 87th minute, Tiến Linh rose high for a dangerous header from a left-wing free-kick, but Minh Toàn once again produced a brilliant reflex save, preserving the 1-0 victory for Becamex TP.HCM.
From a left-wing free-kick by CA TPHCM, Tiến Linh rose high for a dangerous header, but goalkeeper Minh Toàn produced a miraculous reflex save, spectacularly denying the home team.
Originating from a counter-attack in their own half, Khoa Ngô accelerated down the flank before combining with Tiến Linh. The Vietnamese national team striker delivered an inspired backheel for his teammate to continue the run into the penalty area before passing to Thanh Bình. Unfortunately, his finishing shot was too tame, not difficult enough to beat the away team's goalkeeper.
From the penalty spot, Nguyễn Trần Việt Cường made no mistake, opening the scoring.
From a right-wing free-kick by Becamex TPHCM, players from both teams jumped for a header, the ball bounced out, and an away team player took a shot that hit the hand of defender Gia Bảo. After about 5 minutes of VAR review, the main referee correctly awarded a penalty to Becamex TPHCM.
Strikers from both sides continuously exchanged blows, but a goal still hadn't arrived for either team.
From a long clearance deep in their own half, Tiến Linh burst forward with pace, got one-on-one, and executed a skillful lob over goalkeeper Minh Toàn. However, the away team's goalkeeper rushed out very quickly, timely neutralizing the most dangerous chance for CA TPHCM since the start of the match.
Quốc Cường had a speedy solo run before unleashing a powerful shot that forced goalkeeper Minh Toàn to parry the ball away. The ball rebounded to another CA TP.HCM player, but in a favorable position, his shot unfortunately rattled the crossbar.
Both teams continued to tirelessly trade blows, but the strikers from both sides still couldn't find a way into the opponent's net.
CA TP.HCM built an attack down the right flank. Quang Hùng delivered an awkward cross into the penalty area, the ball bounced around chaotically before reaching Endrick's position, but this foreign player couldn't get his shot away as intended when pressured and blocked in time by the away team's defender.
Both teams continuously attacked from the flanks but still couldn't convert chances into goals.
Becamex TP.HCM is actively attacking, aiming to gain an advantage early in the first half.
CA TP HCM: Lê Giang, Gia Bảo, Matheus, Đăng Khoa, Quang Hùng, Minh Trọng, Đức Phú, Endrick, Ngọc Hà, Thanh Bình, Raphael.
Becamex TP HCM: Minh Toàn, Tùng Quốc, Zlatkovic Milos, Đình Khương, Thế Hiếu, Tấn Tài, Văn Anh, Thanh Hậu, Alves, Elisha, Việt Cường.
Before the Tet holiday, CA TP. HCM disappointed by unexpectedly falling to Thanh Hoá in round 13. That defeat was clearly a shock for coach Lê Huỳnh Đức and his team, making them highly determined upon their return in round 14. Welcoming Becamex TP. HCM is not only a chance to regain face but also carries the meaning of creating favorable momentum for the start of the new year.
On the other side of the battle line, Becamex TP. HCM's mood isn't any better. The Thủ Đức-based team lost 1-2 at home to PVF-CAND and dropped to 11th place with 12 points, continuing to struggle in the relegation battle group. Therefore, they also aim to get points, even a victory, to improve their situation.
After the merger, this clash is seen as a derby between two teams from the same city. CA TP. HCM holds the home advantage and a reinforced squad in the second phase, so they are rated slightly higher in the race for 3 points. However, with the determination to escape the bottom group, Becamex TP. HCM promises to create considerable difficulty for the home team.