Binh Duong lead V-League table

An overtime goal scored by midfielder Luu Danh Minh gave ACB Ha Noi a 1-0 edge over Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the V-League Championship"s 11th round last…

12/05/2007 00:00:00
 An overtime goal scored by midfielder Luu Danh Minh gave ACB Ha Noi a 1-0 edge over Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the V-League Championship”s 11th round last weekend.

After a scoreless 90 minutes of seesawing possessions, Ha Noi midfielder Thanh Long took a free kick on goal in the fourth minute of injury time. Khatoco Khanh Hoa keeper Duc Hung erred, and Minh arrived in time to tap the rebound into the net.

The much-needed win took Ha Noi out of last place and pushed them up four steps in the rankings. Binh Duong, however, still lead the table with 24 points after beating Southern Steel Sai Gon Port 3-1 on home turf.

Amaobi Uzowuru opened the score for Binh Duong in the 33rd minute of play with a spectacular goal. The Nigerian striker, the league”s top scorer in 2003 when he played for Nam Dinh, captured a left cross from teammate Hoang Vuong with his chest to volley a shot past Sai Gon Port keeper Cong Vuong. The goal marked the seventh time Amaobi has scored for V-League leader Binh Duong in the championship.

Captain Tran Truong Giang doubled the score to 2-0 three minutes from time when he escaped Sai Gon Port”s offside trap to grab a long kick from former national team keeper Nguyen The Anh. Unmarked by Sai Gon Port defenders, Giang drove to face goalie Vuong, surprising him with a low shot to the far corner of the net.

After the break, Binh Duong”s leading trio South African Philani, Brazilian Alves Kesley and Amaobi kept up the speed of play, pushing the big-city visitors to the defensive. Three minutes after the break, Kesley netted the ball from a 20m free kick, reminding Binh Duong why they”re glad to have him back from his stint playing for two-time champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai last season. Kesley curved a low shot that hit the wall and ricocheted into the right corner of the net.

Brazilian striker Elenildo De Jesus scored for Sai Gon Port in the 56th minute with a deft header, but it was too late for his team to make a comeback.

Halida Thanh Hoa continued their unbeatable streak with a goalless draw with hosts Dam Phu My Nam Dinh at Thien Truong Stadium.

Huda Hue were held to a 1-1 draw by Dong Thap this weekend at Tu Do Stadium.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai missed a chance for a win at home when they drew TCDK Song Lam Nghe An 2-2, blowing a 2-0 lead.

Pisico Binh Dinh beat defending champions Dong Tam Long An 2-1 at Quy Nhon Stadium, while Da Nang drew Hoa Phat Ha Noi 1-1 at their home Chi Lang Stadium on May 13.

VNS