FIRST OF MANY? Hoàng Anh Gia Lai's Brazilian forward Dos Santos Martins Felipe celebrates after his first goal in the V.League. — Photo vtc.com

HÀ NỘI — Nam Định FC continued an unbeaten run on home turf after a 2-2 draw against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai at the Thiên Trường stadium in the V.League yesterday.

The team extended their streak to nine matches, however the draw pushed them down a place to fifth with 26 points.

Just four minutes into the game the hosts opened the score when Lâm Anh Quang received a pass from teammate Trần Mạnh Hùng and nodded it home. 

Having led in terms of results, it was Hoàng Anh Gia Lai who controlled the match.

National striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn, Brazilian forward Dos Santos Martins Felipe and midfielders Lương Xuân Truờng and Trần Minh Vương were given chances to attack keeper Đinh Xuân Việt’s goal in the first half but were unlucky to score an equaliser.

It wasn’t until 14 minutes after the break, Toàn brought in a ball that passed all Nam Định’s defenders to reach Vương in the box. Vương did not waste his third opportunity and headed it into empty net for 1-1.

Ten minutes later Hoàng Anh Gia Lai converted their dominance into a second goal. Felipe took a rebound from chaos in front of Việt’s area. The striker was free to aim for the far corner to bag his first goal of the season.

Coach Nguyễn Văn Dũng made a change with Lê Sỹ Minh coming in to strengthen the midfield.

And things changed gradually for the hosts.

Minh helped to create more attacks and also took part in threatening goalie Đinh Văn Trường.

However, their attempts succeeded in additional time with Nguyễn Hạ Long scoring, also a header, just seconds before the final whistle.

The draw was also the fourth match in a row that Hoàng Anh Gia Lai have not lost. They are tenth now with 23 points.

On Saturday, Becamex Bình Dương lost to Hà Nội for the second time in four days.

The former champions were defeated 1-2 at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium.

Earlier last week Bình Dương were beaten 0-1 at the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal final.

Playing during the storm Wipha, captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết found Bình Dương’s net at the 20th minute. He scored the only goal in the AFC games at the Gò Đậu Stadium.

Earlier, midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải opened the score in just nine minutes.

Bình Dương’s only goal came at the 72nd minute by veteran forward Nguyễn Anh Đức who has just returned from injury.

The win pushed Hà Nội to top of the league with 37 points, replacing HCM City on 35 points, whom unexpectedly lost 1-2 to bottom-place Sanna Khánh Hoà yesterday.

At the same time, Quảng Ninh drew former winner SHB Đà Nẵng 1-1 and jumped to third position.

In other games, Hải Phòng lost 1-2 to Sài Gòn on home turf and Quảng Nam trounced Thanh Hoá 3-0. — VNS