Before matchday 13, SLNA had not secured an away victory in this V-League season. However, against The Cong, coach Van Sy Son's team delivered a performance far exceeding expectations at Hang Day Stadium. Meanwhile, The Cong, missing coach Velizar Popov due to suspension, struggled to react to the constant shifts in the game.

From a left-wing corner kick, the ball was delivered to the near post, flicked on to the far post. Justin Garcia rushed in low to head it home from close range, opening the scoring in the 3rd minute. However, their lead did not last long.

SLNA striker Michael Olaha (second from left) scored two goals from the penalty spot in the 4-1 victory over The Cong on V-League 2025-2026 matchday 13, at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi on 8/2/2026. *Photo: Hoang Huynh*

In the 20th minute, Phan Tuan Tai delivered an early cross from the left wing. The ball deflected off Michael Olaha's foot and fell into the middle of SLNA's penalty area. Amidst the scramble, Lucao quickly struck from inside the six-yard box, leveling the score. The home team also put the ball into the net twice through Paulinho in the 8th minute and Lucao in the 25th minute, but both were disallowed: the first for Kyle Colonna fouling goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, and the second for Lucao being offside.

Despite the pressure, SLNA unexpectedly had a chance to take the lead in the 53rd minute after Kyle Colonna overtly pulled Reon Moore's shirt inside the penalty area. Referee Nguyen Viet Duan pointed to the penalty spot, and Michael Olaha converted the opportunity.

In the 68th minute, a major setback hit the away team when Vuong Van Huy was sent off. The defender had committed an illegal tackle from behind, preventing a goal-scoring opportunity for Pedro Henrique. However, The Cong could not capitalize on their numerical advantage to equalize during the remaining 22 minutes of regular play and 8 minutes of stoppage time. Their best chance came in the 78th minute when Pedro's shot, following a cross from Dinh Xuan Tien, rattled the crossbar.

SLNA defender Vuong Van Huy (yellow jersey) fouls Pedro Henrique from behind and receives a direct red card. *Photo: Hoang Huynh*

Preoccupied with attacking, The Cong repeatedly left significant spaces behind their defense. In the 84th minute, Moore broke the offside trap, sprinted past Colonna and Paulinho into the penalty area, then chipped the ball over goalkeeper Van Viet to score SLNA's third goal. The 4-1 scoreline was sealed in the first minute of stoppage time, again from the penalty spot, converted by Olaha. Earlier, the Nigerian striker was illegally challenged by Paulinho inside the box.

This marks The Cong's heaviest defeat against SLNA since their return to the V-League in 2019. In the first leg that year, they lost 1-3 to SLNA, a record surpassed tonight.

The defeat does not cost The Cong their third position. They remain with 22 points, 5 points behind Ninh Binh and 7 points behind Cong an Ha Noi (CAHN). However, The Cong has played one fewer match than Ninh Binh and two more than CAHN.

SLNA, on the other hand, is delighted with their third victory of the V-League season. Coach Van Sy Son's team now has 13 points, placing them in 9th position, 6 points clear of bottom-placed Da Nang, despite having played one more match.

Tomorrow, Nam Dinh will host Da Nang at Thien Truong Stadium. Afterward, the V-League will pause for the Tet Binh Ngo 2026 holiday. The league will resume on 24/2 with two rescheduled matchday 10 fixtures: Thanh Hoa versus CAHN, and The Cong versus Nam Dinh.

Starting Lineups

The Cong: Van Viet, Kyle Colonna, Bui Tien Dung, Phan Tuan Tai, Dinh Viet Tu, Van Tu, Paulinho, Wesley Nata, Nguyen Duc Hoang Minh, Nham Manh Dung, Lucao Vinicius

SLNA: Cao Van Binh, Vuong Van Huy, Hoang Van Khanh, Justin Garcia, Xuan Binh, Tran Manh Quynh, Phan Ba Quyen, Ho Khac Ngoc, Ngo Van Luong, Reon Moore, Michael Olaha.

Hieu Luong