Ho Chi Minh City staged a comeback victory against Binh Dinh.

Coach Phung Thanh Phuong's team ended their two-match losing streak with a 2-1 comeback victory against Binh Dinh in Round 11 of the V-League 2023-2024.

Returning to Thong Nhat Stadium after two defeats at Hang Day against Hanoi Police and Hanoi FC, Ho Chi Minh City FC also suffered a setback with striker Timite suspended. Coach Phung Thanh Phuong could only field two foreign players, Brendon Lucas and Wander Luiz, alongside young players like Vinh Nguyen, Ngoc Long, and Thanh Khoi.

In contrast, the visiting team Binh Dinh has a full squad and high morale after defeating league leaders Nam Dinh in round 10.

Ho Chi Minh City FC staged a comeback victory against Binh Dinh in Round 11 of the V-League 2023-2024. — Tung Quoc (center) celebrates with his teammates after scoring the equalizer for Ho Chi Minh City FC in the match at Thong Nhat Stadium on the evening of February 28. Photo: *Duc Dong*

However, the home team started better. In the 3rd minute, Vo Huy Toan penetrated the penalty area and faced the Binh Dinh goalkeeper, but shot over the crossbar. In the 16th minute, Ngoc Long broke down the left wing and delivered a low cross for newcomer Wander Luiz to tap the ball in from close range. However, Cao Van Trien managed to get back in time to clear the ball.

After about 20 minutes of relentless but unsuccessful attacks, Ho Chi Minh City could not maintain the pressure. Binh Dinh thus gained control of the game. However, the visiting team's strikers were not sharp enough to beat goalkeeper Patrick Le Giang. In the final minute of the first half, Huy Toan delivered a good cross from the left wing for Luiz to head the ball wide of the goal.

Returning after the break, Ho Chi Minh City continued their impressive attack, with moves down the flanks. However, just as they were gaining momentum, they conceded a goal due to a mistake by goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang. In the 52nd minute, the Vietnamese-born goalkeeper fumbled a back pass from a teammate, resulting in a corner kick. Immediately afterwards, he misjudged the ball's trajectory, letting it fly behind him, giving Ngoc Bao the opportunity to head the ball diagonally into the net to open the scoring.

However, Ho Chi Minh City did not lose heart, maintaining the pressure and equalizing about 10 minutes later. From a clearance by center-back Adriano Schmidt, the ball reached Ngo Tung Quoc's feet. The home team's right-back volleyed diagonally into the net to equalize.

Tung Quoc then took the ball, making a pregnant belly gesture as if to announce the good news. On the other side of the goal, goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang ran to hug the coaching staff, then ran to the middle of the field and jumped high. He seemed to have relieved the pressure after his teammates helped correct his mistake.

With their momentum building, Ho Chi Minh City continued their fluid attack. In the 73rd minute, they were awarded a penalty when Vietnamese-German defender Adriano Schmidt handled the ball in the penalty area. From the penalty spot, Luiz beat goalkeeper Minh Hoang, making the score 2-1.

In the remaining minutes, both teams traded blows but there were no further significant opportunities. The visiting team brought on Mac Hong Quan and Nghiem Xuan Tu, but they were unable to break through TP HCM's tight defense.

With this result, Ho Chi Minh City moved up to sixth place with 15 points, while Binh Dinh finished fifth with 19 points.