SHB Danang crush Hoang Anh 3-0 to secure top position

Binh Dinh take First Division lead

By Vu Duc - The Saigon Times Daily

Danny David of Dong Tam Long An Tiles (C) fights for the ball with Binh Duong’s players during their V-League football match at Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong yesterday - Photo: Ba Chau

The clashes between SHB Danang and Hoang Anh, and Becamex Binh Duong and Dong Tam Long An Tiles in the round attracted much attention from the public as the four teams are strong favorites to win the league title.

The four teams wanted a victory to consolidate their position in the ranking table. Moreover, leaders Binh Duong, SHB Danang and Dong Tam Tiles also stand neck-and-neck in the ranking table.

The home side Danang placed attacks on their opponents from the beginning and Diego Mendez nearly opened the score for his team in the 34th minute but his kick passed over the Hoang Anh goalpost.

Though suffering from heavy pressure, Hoang Anh Gia Lai successfully defended their goalpost in the first half and Thai coach Kiatisuk Senamuang’s players organized some attacks on their rivals.

The home side continuously put pressure on Hoang Anh’s defending line in the second half. Gaston Merlo helped Danang to advance in the 48th and 67th minutes before Mendez finalized the game at 3-0 just two minutes later.

After the victory, SHB Danang snatched the top of the V-League from Binh Duong with nine points after three games from three wins, while former champions Hoang Anh dropped to 12th place with three points from four games.

Meanwhile, the game between Binh Duong and Dong Tam Long An Tiles at Binh Duong’s Go Dau Stadium was the most boring of the day. Their players missed all scoring chances until Danny David scored the only goal for Dong Tam Tiles in the 86th minute.

Hanoi T&T maintained the second spot after beating Nam Dinh 2-0 at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium. The two goals were scored in the 18th and 51st minutes by Cao Sy Cuong and national striker Le Cong Vinh.

Hanoi T&T and SHB Danang now have nine points each from four games, but SHB Danang moved to the top position thanks to goal difference.

With the home loss, Binh Duong went to fifth with six points while Dong Tam Tiles moved to third with eight points from four games.

Song Lam Nghe An secured three points at the round as they beat bottom-placed Lam Son Thanh Hoa 2-1 in Thanh Hoa on Sunday, climbing to ninth position with one win, two draws and a loss. Thanh Hoa still rank at the bottom of the ranking table with only one point, the same as 13th-positioned Nam Dinh.

Haiphong rank seventh in the V-League with a hard-fought 2-2 away draw to Ninh Binh in the northern province of Ninh Binh while Ninh Binh are in tenth with five points.

Khanh Hoa moved to sixth place with six points after earning a 2-1 victory over Dong Thap in the central coast city of Nha Trang. Hoa Phat Hanoi still rank fourth after drawing 1-1 to Navibank Saigon in HCMC.

* Binh Dinh snatched the lead of the Vietnam First Division from leaders Tay Ninh after trouncing Viettel 6-3 in their hometown Qui Nhon in their fourth round match on Saturday.

HCMC Club, Hanoi ACB and Can Tho showed impressive performances in the round as they secured victories. HCMC Club beat TDC Binh Duong 2-0 in the southern province of Binh Duong, Hanoi ACB earned a 3-2 win over Hue at Hang Day Stadium and Can Tho defeated Tien Giang in the Mekong Delta city of My Tho.

Binh Dinh has taken over the lead on goal difference from HCMC Club, Hanoi ACB and Can Tho, with four teams on seven points.

Tay Ninh were defeated 0-6 by fifth-placed An Giang at their home ground and fell to seventh position with five points, while Quang Nam, who did not play in this round, stay in sixth place with five points from three games.

The game between Dong Nai and Quang Ninh Coal in the southern province of Dong Nai ended 1-1. Dong Nai are in 12th place with three points from four games, just two points ahead of bottom-placed Viettel.