V.League 1 review: Leaders lose to allow Ha Noi to close in

Posted Monday, September 11, 2017 by foxsportsasia.com

The V.League 1 campaign resumed after a two-month break at the weekend and it is Ha Noi who will be grinning the most this Monday.

The defending champions were in action at the Vinh Stadium on Sunday and claimed a 2-1 triumph over Song Lam Nghe An.

Goals from Do Hung Dung (21’) and Nguyen Van Dung (29’) were enough to see off the hosts, who grabbed a consolation courtesy of Vo Ngoc Toan’s effort just before the break.

The victory allowed Ha Noi to move just two points off the top of the table after leaders FLC Thanh Hoa slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Sai Gon.

Following a goalless first half, Ngan Van Dai fired Sai Gon ahead when he found space inside the box to lash a ferocious left-footed into the back of the net.

Then, deep into injury-time, the result was secured when Thanh Hoa sent all ten outfield players forward in search of a counter and were caught out, allowing Do Van Thuan to embark on a 70-yard run through on goal before finishing past Nguyen Thanh Thang.

SHB Da Nang were also victors at the weekend as they beat XSKT Can Tho 3-0, courtesy of Gramoz Kurtaj’s first-half brace and an injury-time effort from Gaston Merlo.

Meanwhile, Becamex Binh Duong snapped a three-game losing streak as an own-goal by Nguyen Anh Hung and a Diogo Pereira strike in the final 11 minutes of their game at the Lach Tray Stadium handed them a 2-0 win over Hai Phong.

QNK Quang Nam and Hoang Anh Gia Lai also recorded wins on Sunday by beating Long An and Than Quang Ninh 3-2 and 4-2 respectively.

Finally, Youssouf Toure netted his first goal for Sanna Khanh Hoa since joining in mid-season to hand them a 1-0 triumph over TP Ho Chi Minh at the Nha Trang Stadium.