Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) remain top of the Group H of AFC Cup following the goalless draw with Persija Jakarta on Tuesday, however, they have to face goalkeeper injury-crisis in the upcoming matches as the last official keeper Van Tien was injured in this game.
Taking full advantage of playing on their home turf, SLNA quickly dominated the game in the first half. However, it was the visitors who had the first effort by Vava Yagalo in the fifth minute.
As the half wore on, SLNA began to take control with their aggressive attack line. Key players Ho Tuan Tai and Ho Khac Ngoc attempted to score from distance but missed the chance to break the deadlock due to their hurry in the box.
The home team lost their momentum when midfielder Ho Sy Sam was dismissed after booking his second yellow card in the 62nd minute and they had to play the remaining of the game with 10 men.
With none of the team earned any goal, the game ended with a goalless draw, leaving SLNA top of the Group H with seven points. Persija Jakarta are the runners-up with four points, followed by Johor Darul Ta’zim and Tampines Rovers.
However, the Persija Jakarta game left SLNA frustrated as they are really going through goalkeepers at the moment, with their top three first-choices currently sidelined.
The V.League side are currently missing their main goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh, who has been out for six months due to the severe injury in the Tampines Rovers game of AFC Cup last month.
The crisis went deeper when second man Van Hung was pulled out with an injury during the JDT game, and now young goalkeeper also out for a period.
