Sixth round of V-League: Da Nang remain at the bottom

Hoang Anh Gia Lai yesterday dashed Da Nang’s hopes of gaining their first victory in the V-League 2008 in a 2-2 draw. 

Dong Tam Long An (red) had an easy win over Southern Steel Saigon Port

Both teams made swift attacks, creating a number of good scoring opportunities which resulted in two goals apiece.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai took the lead by striker Tang Tuan in the 21st minute but two goals from Almeyda put Da Nang ahead and only a late goal in the 85th minute by striker Minh Nghia helped Hoang Anh Gia Lai  retain a point at home.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai controlled the ball and combined well in the first half, pushing back Da Nang midfielders, thus mounting constant pressure on the guests’ defence.

In the 21st minute, Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s striker Tang Tuan received a brilliant pass from Kone Mohamed, dribbled the ball past Da Nang’s central defender Hung Dung and took a powerful shot with his left foot past goalie Duc Cuong to score. Shortly afterwards, Tuan went one-on-one again with Duc Cuong, but he failed.

In the second half, Da Nang’s coach Le Huynh Duc substituted right winger Phan Thanh Phuc to strengthen the team’s right wing.

In the 52nd and 54th minutes, the full back Quang Cuong made two passes to striker Almeyda who scored a brace to help Da Nang take a 2-1 lead.

In the last 15 minutes, Hoang Anh Gia Lai retaliated with fierce attacks when a Thai midfielder and striker Minh Nghia came off the bench, thus keeping constant pressure on Da Nang’s goal.

In the 85th minute, midfielder Vu Anh Tuan made a good pass from a free kick that  found Nghia who scored with a header, ending the match in a draw.

The result means Da Nang stay bottom of the V-League with only two points after six matches while Hoang Anh Gia Lai remain in third place.

Haiphong remain top of the table despite a 0-0 draw in a match against defending champions Binh Duong.

The round saw few goals as The Cong and ACB Hanoi also finished their game in a disappointing 0-0 draw. Dong Tam Long An climbed up three places to six after beating Southern Steel Saigon Port 3-1 in the latest match yesterday.

Other two matches also ended in a draw: the matches between Thanh Hoa and Binh Dinh and Hoa Phat Hanoi and Khanh Hoa. Meanwhile, the hosts Song Lam Nghe An crushed Nam Dinh 3-0.