Hoang Duc tears apart SLNA's defense.

Hanoi midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc was involved in all three goals, helping Viettel thrash SLNA 3-0 in Round 10 of the V-League 2023.

Before this match, Viettel had two points more than SLNA. A win would help one of the two teams improve their position, meaning a chance to break into the top eight as the first phase nears its end. With home advantage, Viettel started strongly. In the very first minute, Hoang Duc threatened SLNA's goal. Under pressure from Hoang Duc, goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet made a poor save. The ball hit a Viettel midfielder's foot before going out of bounds. In the 37th and 38th minutes, Hoang Duc had two consecutive chances to shoot, but the ball went wide of the post and over the crossbar.

Viettel didn't have to regret it for long. In the 39th minute, the midfielder born in 1998 took a free kick from the right wing, about 40 meters from the goal. The ball entered the penalty area, creating a scramble, and Duc Chien quickly finished to open the scoring.

Hoang Duc (in red shirt) constantly troubled the SLNA defense in round 10 of the V-League 2023. Photo: Hieu Luong

In the second half, Viettel played more confidently and coordinated their attacks, while SLNA had to push their formation higher in search of an equalizer. In the 53rd minute, Hoang Duc quickly spotted the ball and played a through pass to Nham Manh Dung, who broke the offside trap and beat goalkeeper Van Viet to double the lead. Frustrated by their team's performance, an SLNA fan lit a flare in stand B.

Three minutes later, Hoang Duc again exchanged passes with Huu Thang just outside the penalty area before skillfully dribbling past Xuan Manh and Mai Sy Hoang. He passed the ball across to Huu Thang, but he was too slow, and Duong Van Hao was in the right place at the right time to finish from close range, scoring the third goal.

Hoang Duc (left) celebrates after indirectly helping Duc Chien (right) score the opening goal against SLNA. Photo: Hieu Luong

Hoang Duc alone almost tore apart SLNA's defense. The visitors' efforts were limited to long-range shots from Mai Sy Hoang and Que Ngoc Hai, but they were inaccurate.

With a 3-0 victory, Viettel moved up to seventh place with 14 points, level with Ha Tinh but behind due to fewer goals scored (11 compared to 16). Meanwhile, SLNA suffered their second consecutive defeat and are now in 11th place with nine points, four points ahead of bottom-placed Da Nang .

Starting lineup

Viettel : Pham Van Phong, Tran Manh Cuong, Thanh Binh, Cao Tran Hoang Hung, Phan Tuan Tai, Duc Chien, Hoang Duc, Khuat Van Khang, Duong Van Hao, Jaha, Nham Manh Dung

SLNA : Van Viet, Vuong Van Huy, Que Ngoc Hai, Pham Xuan Manh, Ho Van Cuong, Vytas Gasputis, Trong Hoang, Tran Nam Hai, Dinh Xuan Tien, Jordy Soladio, Michael Olaha.

Hieu Luong

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