Thanh Hoa FC tie with Becamex Binh Duong in V.League 2019 opener

Rimario scored the first goal of this year’s V.League after 35 minutes, as he fired a close-range header to put Thanh Hoa in front. Last season, the Jamaican player also created an incredible story in V.League. After 16 rounds of play, he missed out on a single goal for Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC and had his contract with the club terminated as a result.

Recruited by Thanh Hoa FC later, Rimario, however, struck again with seven goals, contributing significantly to the team’s second-place finish overall.

With his tireless fitness and fast sprints, he constantly wobbled Binh Duong’s defence. Six minutes into the match, the Jamaican forward stole the ball and passed it to teammate Le Van Thang, who then failed to beat keeper Tan Truong face-to-face. At the end of the clash, Rimario was voted the best player of the 2019 V.League opener with a bonus of VND10 million (US$430).

Prior to the new season, Thanh Hoa FC underwent a serious “brain drain”, as more than half of their first team, including forward Pape Omar, keeper Bui Tien Dung, midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang, and defenders Tran Dinh Dong and Vu Minh Tuan, had their contracts liquidated to seek other clubs following the withdrawal of sponsor FLC Group.

Nonetheless, manager Nguyen Duc Thang’s side still managed to overwhelm their opponents in the first 45 minutes. Meanwhile, the lack of forward duo Nguyen Anh Duc and Nguyen Tien Linh, as well as captain midfielder Le Tan Tai, due to injuries made Becamex Binh Duong lose themselves.

In the second half, the guests changed tactics and constantly delivered long passes into Thanh Hoa’s penalty area, aimed at two foreign strikers Wander Luiz and Mansary. Six minutes after the hour mark, Thanh Hoa defenders lost concentration, allowing Mansary to slot one in from a narrow angle to equalise the score for Binh Duong.

After the goal, manager Nguyen Duc Thang put Dinh Tung and Thanh Binh onto the field seeking to strengthen Thanh Hoa’s offensive power. However, Rimario remained the home side’s most impressive performer in the attacking line. Three minutes into injury time, he produced a header from close range, which was unfortunately parried to safety by goalie Tan Truong.

The remaining matches of the 2019 V.League first round will take place this weekend.