HA NOI — Ha Noi FC beat Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) 2-0 in the 21st match of V.League 1 yesterday at Hang Day Stadium in Ha Noi.

With this victory, Ha Noi FC have officially become the champions of the tournament five matches in advance.

Returning to V.League 1 after a long break, Ha Noi FC set a target of gaining three points on home soil. However, SLNA proved not to be so easily-defeated, despite strong support from the host’s fans who filled the stadium.

Taking advantage of their home soil, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem applied a proactively-attacking and pressing strategy right from the start. Players like Thanh Luong, Quang Hai and Oseni Ganiyu Bolayi constantly created threatening situations in front of goalkeeper Vu Hai; however, all shots by the capital city team missed the target, particularly forward Oseni who missed a penalty in the 18th minute. The first half ended goalless.

Entering the second half, coach Nghiem was forced to field his key attacking player, striker Hoang Vu Samson, in an effort to score the opener. It did not take long for the player, who has recently been granted with Vietnamese citizenship, to find the back of the net in the 60th minute.

The visitors changed their formation on seeking the equaliser and created several opportunities. However, the first goal seemed to boost the host’s spirit. Samson, after receiving a pass from midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, ended the match for Ha Noi FC with his second goal in the 93rd minute.

Earning three points with the win over SLNA, Ha Noi FC became the champions of V-League with 54 points.

Elsewhere, another important match in the race to preserve their rank in the table, Sai Gon defeated Becamex Binh Duong 2-0, Nam Dinh lost to Khanh Hoa 1-2, Da Nang won over Can Tho 2-1 while Hoang Anh Gia Lai suffered a shocking loss 0-3 in a match against Thanh Hoa.

The second, third and forth places in the ranking table now belong to Khanh Hoa, Thanh Hoa and SLNA, respectively, while Hoang Anh Gia Lai is placed seventh. — VNS