Ha Noi T&T seized the V-League Championship yesterday after defeating hosts Dong Tam Long An 2-1 at Long An Stadium with the final round match in hand.— Photo ngoisao

HA NOI (VNS)— Ha Noi T&T seized the V-League Championship yesterday after defeating hosts Dong Tam Long An 2-1 at Long An Stadium with the final round match in hand.

In a separate match, arch-rivals SHB Da Nang failed to overcome Song Lam Nghe An, with the defending champions going down 1-2 in Vinh City.

T&T started the match with captain Cristiano Roland sidelined by an injury and striker Gonzalo Marronkle playing in defence. However the visiting team needed only five minutes to open the scoreboard, with a corner from Nguyen Ngoc Duy heading straight to the net.

National members Duy, Nguyen Van Quyet and Pham Thanh Luong continued a relentless attack of Long An's defence from both wings, forcing their hosts to play an defensive game.

Nigerian striker Samson Kayode Olaleye ended the first half after an impressive sprint to the box and netting his 14th goal of the championship; making him the highest scoring player of the tournament.

In the second half, T&T faced a renewed attack from Long An with substitute Januario Franco Cleiton, narrowing the score at the 85th minute with a strong header from the 5m line.

The win handed T&T their second V-League trophy since their Championship win three years ago.

At Vinh Stadium, Da Nang's nine-man team were defeated by Song Lam Nghe An, buoyed by thousands of local fans who had dyed the stadium yellow in support of their team.

Hector Hughtun seized the first goal for the hosts with a response from Ha Minh Tuan 10 minutes later.

Nguyen Quanh Tinh nabbed a second goal for Nghe An at the 82nd minute, with captain Nguyen Trong Hoang failing to consolidate the lead after missing a penalty in the second half.

The win pushed Nghe An to second place with 33 points while Da Nang dropped to fourth on 32.

Third place went to Thanh Hoa on 33 points, who yesterday beat former champions Becamex Binh Duong 2-1.

In other matches, Kienlongbank Kien Giang tied with Dong Nai 1-1; and Hai Phong trounced Ninh Binh 4-0. — VNS