Viet Nam News
Football
HA NOI — FLC Thanh Hoa defeated Hoang Anh Gia Lai 5-3 yesterday, securing a sizeable lead for themselves over the other teams in the V.League.
Playing on their home turf under the watch of thousands of local supporters, Thanh Hoa sank the former champions with doubles from Pape Omar and Uche Iheruome each and an outstanding free kick from former national midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang.
On the visitors’ side, captain Nguyen Cong Phuong scored again after months of goal drought and midfielder Vu Van Thanh shone with two goals.
However, it was not enough to bring them a win. Suffering their second loss in a row, Hoang Anh Gia Lai drifted to the bottom of the ranking. They have 17 points after 16 rounds.
Thanh Hoa, meanwhile, maintained their lead on the top with 33 points, five more than the runners-up Ha Noi FC, who lost 2-3 to Sanna Khanh Hoa, although they played on home ground.
Defending champions Ha Noi FC gave away three goals, one in the first half and two in the second half. It was an unexpected result, as Sanna Khanh Hoa were considered to be at a lower level.
It was after Van Hau of Sanna Khanh Hoa received a red card that Ha Noi FC managed to net twice to narrow the result in the last few minutes.
Quang Nam and Sai Gon were tied with each other in a 1-1 draw. Sai Gon now stand at the fourth spot with 27 points, strongly chasing the top three positions.
Quang Ninh Coal jumped to the third place after their 2-1 win over Long An, who suffered their 11th loss in a row.
Long An have become the No 1 candidate for relegation this season, as they have only five points.
In other matches, Can Tho defeated Hai Phong 2-0 and saved themselves from the SOS area.
HCM City were tied with former champions Song Lam Nghe An 2-2. Three-time winners Becamex Binh Duong dropped to No. 2 from the bottom after losing 3-4 to SHB Da Nang. — VNS