V-League round 19: Da Nang take back top spot

Hoa-Phat Hanoi defeated Mikado Nam Dinh 1-0 at Hanoi”s Hang Day Stadium, while Da Nang grabbed first in standings after their win during the V-League round 19 match on their home turf.

In Hai Phong, Mitsustar Hai Phong was tied 1-1 with Binh Duong while Khatoco Khanh Hoa lost 0-2 to visitors Southern Steel Sai Gon Port in Nha Trang.

Hoa Phat Hanoi earned the only goal of the match at the 70th minute with a strong shot by half-back Nguyen Dinh Quy.

He passed all Nam Dinh defenders to end up face to face with goalie Bui Quang Huy, where he had no difficulty scoring and pushing his team up one step in the rankings at 10th.

At the same time, Nam Dinh lost top place to Da Nang who beat Hanoi-ACB 1-0 in Chi Lang Stadium. Nam Dinh are now fourth.

After one round, first leg winner Da Nang returned to their position thanks to a goal by Luiz Carlos Da Silva at the 70th minute.

Hai Phong was shocked in the seventh minute of the match when striker Toledo scored from an easy goal for Binh Duong. However, it was not recognised because referee declared him offside.

The early attack by the visitors made Hai Phong work hard in counter-attack. At the 15th minute, halfback Mai Ngoc Quang passed the ball from the right wing to the box where his teammate was waiting to head it to the net. However, Binh Duong”s talented goalie Nguyen The Anh managed to block it.

Twenty five minutes after the break, Nsenglymna Julien opened the score for the Hai Phong side with a perfect header.

Binh Duong”s loss was partly attributed to the lack of defender Pham Dinh Phuoc, who suffered a leg injury and was sidelined in the first half.

However, only seven minutes later, it became 1-1 for Binh Duong by with a shot by Amaobi in from the bench.

Toledo broke through the left wing and provided Amaobi with a perfect pass, and Amaobi then easily faded goalkeeper Dang Tuan Diep.

Southern Steel Sai Gon Port trounced Khatoco Khanh Hoa 2-0 despite the fact that they had to play in Nha Trang.

Three points from a win, the Sai Gon Port hope to escape with 20 points.

They have one point more than former champions Pjico Song Lam Nghe An, who were off this round.

At home, defending champions Gach Dong Tam Long An secured a 3-0 victory over bottom-ranked Pomina Steel Tien Giang for third place.

Brazilian Antonio Carlos scored twice, at the 57th and 82nd minutes, while Seidu pocketed a goal at the 71st help the champions win. The visitors were given a red card at just 15 minutes to the end of the match.

Tien Giang, at the bottom of the table, hope to improve their position after a month-long break of the V-League. Matches will begin again after the June 9-July 9 World Cup.

VNS