Lam Dong FC Suffer Heartbreaking Defeat in Opening Match
Lam Dong FC opened their V.League 2 campaign on September 12 at Da Lat Stadium. Despite putting in a determined performance and keeping the contest relatively even, the hosts suffered a 0-1 defeat to Ho Chi Minh City FC after conceding in stoppage time.
The match saw attendance and support from Da Cat Vinh, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Dinh Van Tuan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; and Ton Thien San, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, along with over 3,000 spectators at Da Lat Stadium.
The match marked Lam Dong FC's first appearance in the national second-tier league after several years competing in the third tier. The team's home opener attracted considerable attention from local football fans.
Even with the rain, over 3,000 fans from Lam Dong showed up, nearly filling Stand A at Da Lat Stadium and generating an energetic atmosphere.
Even though it was Lam Dong FC's debut match in the professional second division, the head coach did not shy away from deploying a possession-focused 4-2-3-1 formation.
With confidence, the Lam Dong players surged forward without delay, employing a pressing strategy that pushed Ho Chi Minh City FC deep into their own territory and forced the visitors onto the defensive.
Wingers Dinh Thanh Dat (No. 19) and Nguyen Dinh Duc (No. 27) were very proactive, creating numerous dangerous attacking moves. In the midfield, Tran Hoang Phuong (No. 11) and captain Le Cao Hoai An (No. 5) offered stability, helping Lam Dong maintain a fairly coherent pattern of play.
The majority of Lam Dong FC's threatening opportunities originated from the wings, with Nguyen Dinh Duc and Dinh Thanh Dat delivering precise crosses.
Nevertheless, striker Vu Manh Hung (No. 10), along with advanced midfielders Phan Duy Hao (No. 79) and Nguyen Doan Duy Anh (No. 95), all skilled players known for their ability to make penetrating runs and unsettle opposing defenses, faced a physical disadvantage due to their shorter stature, leading to Lam Dong missing out on several chances.
In response to Lam Dong's attacking momentum, Ho Chi Minh City head coach Nguyen Minh Phuong instructed his players to remain compact in their own half and look for counter-attacking opportunities whenever the Lam Dong players pushed forward.
Tall foreign striker Jermie Dwayne Lynch (No. 91), who used his physical strength effectively and regularly drew the attention of at least two Lam Dong defenders whenever he received the ball, created space for striker Ho Sy Giap (No. 93) and midfielder Dau Quang Hung (No. 21) to make runs and take shots.
The visitors created at least three dangerous chances in the first half. Goalkeeper Truong Lam Nhat (No. 24) made several excellent saves to help Lam Dong keep a clean sheet.
Stoppage-time goal decides the match
The second half was more balanced, as both teams played carefully. The heavy rain made the field slick and the ball damp, posing challenges for players on both teams in managing possession and launching attacks
Lam Dong continued to create chances from the wings, including two crosses from the right, but the forwards of the home team couldn't capitalize on them
Ho Chi Minh City FC maintained their threat through counterattacks, yet the visitors also wasted several good opportunities.
As the match approached its conclusion and the referee signaled three minutes of stoppage time, fans in the stands began to expect a tie. Yet, in the second minute of added time, while Lam Dong pressed forward in search of a last-minute goal, Vo Ngoc Tinh (No. 6) lost control of the ball.
Ho Chi Minh City FC quickly initiated a counter-attack. To Phuong Thinh (No. 15) passed the ball to substitute Nguyen Cong Thanh (No. 20), who had been brought on during the second half. The substitute fired a powerful shot into the top corner, giving Ho Chi Minh City FC the lead.
Lam Dong FC pressed on in their search for an equalizer after falling behind, but they did not have enough time to turn the match around.
The 0-1 defeat in stoppage time marked a tough start for Lam Dong FC in V.League 2. The team will persist in their efforts in future matches, aiming to ensure their position in the national second division.