VietNamNet Bridge – Becamex Binh Duong won their second match under acting coach Nguyen Thanh Son yesterday, beating Viettel 1-0 in the late match of the V.League 1’s fourth round.

Wander Luiz (above) in action during Becamex Binh Duong's 1-0 win over Viettel. -- Photo VPF.vn

Binh Duong were predicted to fall into trouble after head coach Tran Minh Chien resigned last week, after just three rounds of the league season and four day before they began their AFC Cup campaign.

However, the southern side have managed to win in both competitions, including a 2-1 win over Myanmar’s Shan United in Yangon.

Sơn has managed to unite his players and give the team a breath of fresh air after Chien’s resignation over disagreements with his players.

Though they had home advantage against Viettel, Binh Duong almost conceded in the first two minutes, but Gustavo Santos’s finish was ruled out for offside.

Viettel played without national team captain Que Ngoc Hai who has been banned due to dangerous play in the Hanoi derby, but managed to create plenty of problems, with Vu Minh Tuan and Santos threatening Duc Cuong’s goal several times.

On the host’s side, efforts by Le Tan Tai and Wander Luiz were denied.

It took till the 67th mark for Wander Luiz to open the scoring, running from Viettel’s defenders to loop the ball over goalie The Tai.

Viettel players argued that the ball touched Luiz’s hand but the goal stood.

The visitors threw everything at Binh Duong in search of an equaliser, but were unable to find the leveller.

“Binh Duong were in trouble and headlines when coach Chien left. We were all surprised with his decision but as pro players we must work well in all conditions,” said former national midfielder Tai.

“We did not have out best preparation for this match as we were exhausted from the AFC Cup in Myanmar under really hot weather. We just had three days to practice to face Viettel who have young and talented players. It was a little hard for us but important that we earned three points,” he said.

The deputy captain added that Binh Duong would have a busy schedule in both the V.League 1 and AFC Cup over the next few weeks.

Binh Duong’s first win pushed them to fourth in the table. They trail Ha Noi, HCM City and Hai Phong.

Meanwhile Viettel fall to twelfth with three points. They have only one point more than the two bottom teams, Quang Nam and Thanh Hoa. 

In the next round, Binh Duong will host HCM City, who are currently in second place, on April 12. Viettel will face Nam Dinh a day later.  

Source: VNS