12th round of V-League: Haiphong top first stage

A 1-0 victory over former champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai means Haiphong topped the table at the finish of the first stage of V-League which will break on April 15. 

Ngoc Thanh’s match goal helped Haiphong maintain the top place.

Both teams entered the match on April 6 in high spirits. Haiphong showed their strong determination by fielding an attacking formation.  

The hosts Haiphong created many good opportunities, yet they failed to open the score due to Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s tough defence. 

Haiphong rode their luck as their goalkeeper and the bar denied two goal attempts by Agostinho and Duy Quang in the 40th and 44th minutes.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai dominated the second half, but Haiphong’s defence was good enough to fend off the guests’ attacks.

The game seemed to heading for a scoreless draw when Ngoc Thanh scored for the hosts, bringing the home fans to their feet.

In the 86th minute, Ngoc Thanh scored the only goal of the match with a powerful header from a left corner.

It was the second time Thanh has saved Haiphong from a disappointing draw or loss. Two weeks ago, he also scored both goals, helping Haiphong secure a point in a 2-2 draw against ACB Hanoi.

With the win, Haiphong are certain to be the leader of the first stage of V-League. Haiphongnow have 23 points, a full three points ahead of second placed The Cong who were held 0-0 draw by Southern Steel Saigon Port on their home ground.

The loss at Haiphong port dropped two-times champions Gia Lai down to the eighth place from third.

The round also witnessed a tense match between Da Nang and Song Lam Nghe An. Three goals by Almeida and Hung Dung helped Da Nang beat Song Lam Nghe An 3-2 and helped them avoid the relegation zone.

Defending champions Binh Duong climbed up two places after defeating Binh Dinh 1-0. Meanwhile, Dong Tam Long An beat Hoa Phat Hanoi 2-0, rising one place from sixth to fifth in the table.

Khanh Hoa also drew Thanh Hoa 1-1, maintaining their fourth place.

In the earlier match on April 4, Nam Dinh beat ACB Hanoi 2-0 to keep the Hanoirepresentatives at the bottom of the table, who are level on nine points with Hoa Phat Hanoi.