V-League round six: PISICO Binh Dinh go top, champions gain first win

PISICO Binh Dinh went top of the table of the national championship/V-League after a 1-0 home victory over Hoang Anh Gia Lai while in Tien Giang, defending champions Dong Tam Long An gained their first league win and have escaped the bottom position. Replacing them are one of the initial favourites for the title, Binh Duong. 

In Quy Nhon, a second half goal by Minh Minh earned hosts Binh Dinh top spot of the table after beating two-time league champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai. The visitors lined up three forwards Dinh Viet, Kiatisuk and Kesley in the hope of gaining a good result in Quy Nhon. However, the first opportunity went to the hosts. In the fourth minute, Viet Hoang”s close header failed to find the net. The hosts, inspired by former Vietnamese international Viet Hoang, produced an excellent performance. Five minutes into the second half, Minh Minh opened the scoring. The hosts had some more opportunities in the 71st, 72nd and 78th minutes but were unable find the net. This was the fourth defeat for Hoang Anh Gia Lai in their last six games in league. After the defeat Hoang Anh Gia Lai dropped downwards the dangerous zone with Binh Duong. But the former champions lead on goal difference.

The defending champions ended their run without any victories in the sixth week with a 1-0 victory over Pomina Steel Tien Giang in the Mekong delta derby. The return of Minh Phuong and brothers Antonio and Carlos Rodigrues strengthened the champions. In the first 20 minutes, hosts Tien Giang dominated the game. They created some scoring opportunities but were unable to find the net. Their clear opportunity went to striker Martin, who was denied by excellent goalkeeper Santos. In the 37th minute, Antonio and Carlos played a one-two and Carlos put the ball past the home side”s goalkeeper Truong Chinh, sealing the first victory for the champions. After their victory at Tien Giang, Dong Tam Long An have moved out the relegation zone.

One of the possible favourites, Binh Duong, suffered a 3-2 defeat to weaker opponents Mitsustar Haier Haiphong, despite their early lead by Anh Duc. The under-23 forward headed in, finishing Quang Thanh”s corner kick om the 26th minute. Five minutes later, Julien headed an equaliser for the visitors. In the 33rd minute, Dang Thanh helped Haiphong take a 2-1 lead after ghosting past the Binh Duong defence. Captain Truong Giang restored the hosts” hope before half-time. Tostao sealed the victory for the visitors in the stopage time, seconds after he came off the bench. The defeat left Binh Duong bottoming the table.

Last week”s leaders Da Nang left Hanoi empty-handed with a defeat to their hosts LG.HN.ACB. The vistors dominated the game and created many opportunities. However, Almeida was denied twice by the woodwork. His teammates failed to beat the home side”s goalkeeper Viet Cuong. The only goal went to Mbabazi in the 64th minute.

High-flying Hoa Phat Hanoi have moved up to third spot in the table after a 1-0 home defeat of Midako Nam Dinh. Hosts Nam Dinh, who earned only one point from two home games, were determined to gain a good result from their Hanoi visitors. The first opportunity went to the visiting side. In the tenth minute, Williams chested down the ball and produced a powerful strike. However, the shot was over the bar. In the 44th minute, Dinh Quy, set up by Williams, scored the winner for the visitors. In the second half, the hosts made efforts to seek an equaliser, but Trong Loc, Thanh Nguyen failed to score.

The match between Southern Steel Saigon Port and Khatoco Khanh Hoa ended 0-0.

NhanDan