Hanoi T&T stays top despite draw; Kienlongbank stays bottom
Quang Nam secures pole position, Tay Ninh is in freefall
By Vu Duc - The Saigon Times Daily
HCMC – Hanoi T&T have retained their lead of the Eximbank-V-League despite drawing 2-2 with XM Vissan Ninh Binh on Sunday, while Kienlongbank KG are still bottom after suffering its fifth loss on Saturday.
Backed by an enthusiastic visiting support, Hanoi T&T were in complete control from the kick-off. Samson Kayode opened the scoring five minutes into the game with a header from a comfortable pass from teammate Nguyen Hong Tien.
It was all too easy for Hanoi T&T after the early opening goal. Gonzalo Marronkle almost made it 2-0 for the league leaders but he was narrowly wide.
But the home side was creeping back into the game and in the 37th minute, captain Mai Tien Thanh was denied by Hanoi T&T’s goalie Nguyen Hong Son from close range.
Mota did deservedly level the score with a penalty kick in the 46th minute. The Brazilian midfielder then put his side in front in the 52nd minute with an unstoppable free kick.
It was all going Ninh Binh’s way at this point but with 13 minutes to go Hanoi was handed a lifeline when Ibrahim Abdul Razak was sent-off for a second yellow card. The V-League leaders were back in command and secured a precious point with a minute to go thanks to Gonzalo’s effort.
Despite the draw, Hanoi T&T is still top on 14 points, just one point ahead of second-placed Saigon FC, who also tied 2-2 with Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the central coast city of Nha Trang on Saturday.
Meanwhile, coach Le Huynh Duc’s Danang was held 3-3 by Hanoi Club at Hang Day Stadium. Danang’s opener came from Huynh Quoc Anh in the 20th minute, with Gaston Merlo grabbing a double. National striker Le Cong Vinh, Timothy Anjembe (penalty) and national midfielder Pham Thanh Luong were on target for the capital side.
Danang are third on 12 points after seven games, the same points as fourth-placed Ninh Binh while Khanh Hoa drop to 13th place with six points.
There was an impressive performance by Navibank Saigon who defeated Thanh Hoa 2-0 at Thong Nhat Stadium on Saturday. Luong Van Duoc Em opened in the 57th minute and striker Nguyen Quang Hai completed victory in the 72nd minute.
The win puts Navibank in ninth place with eight points, while Thanh Hoa falls to 12th position on six points.
Kienlongbank KG were defeated 3-2 by Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the Mekong Delta on Saturday and are bottom on four points, two points behind 13th-placed Haiphong, who tied 2-2 with defending champions Song Lam Nghe An.
Hoang Anh move up to seventh place on 11 points while Song Lam is still fifth with 11 points.
The game between Dong Thap and Becamex Binh Duong ended goalless to see Dong Thap eighth on nine points, two points behind sixth-positioned Binh Duong.
* In the First Division, Quang Nam and Hung Vuong An Giang finished goalless in the central city of Tam Ky on Saturday but it was enough for Quang Nam to snatch top position from Hanoi, who lost 3-2 to Quang Ninh Coal at Cam Pha Stadium.
Quang Nam is on 14 points, just one point ahead of third-placed Hanoi.
Meanwhile, Hanoi and Can Tho, who drew with TDC Binh Duong 1-1 in the Mekong Delta, have 13 points each after the round, but Can Tho is second on goal difference.
Tay Ninh tied 1-1 with Binh Dinh in the central coast city of Qui Nhon, and stay bottom on two points, just two points behind 13th-placed TDC Binh Duong.
In other matches on Saturday, Junior Hanoi defeated Dong Tam Long An Tiles 2-1 at Hang Day Stadium, while Junior SHB Danang lost 3-2 to Lam Dong in Dalat City. Dong Nai was held 1-1 by HCMC at home.