Time to go: Coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh has resigned and returned to rest in his home town of Nghe An City. Ha Noi FC have had a disappointing V-League season. — File Photo

HA NOI — Former champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) suffered a humiliating defeat of 0-3 to Sai Gon FC in the V-League's 16th round yesterday on their home turf in Pleiku City.

The loss precludes HAGL from entering the top three of the tournament while Sai Gon remain in thid place.

Meanwhile in the capital city, Ha Noi Football Club coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh's resignation has been accepted. Vinh said that his health was not strong enough to take charge of the position and he felt unsuited for the job. On Saturday the team was beat 1-3 by Kienlongbank Kien Giang, their seventh loss of the season.

"The team needs another coach to make them better. Ha Noi FC is home to many national stars and these unexpected results are not acceptable. Moreover, my heath is not well and I need to rest," Vinh said.

Vinh's contract is still valid until this August. Ha Noi are now in ninth place with only 19 points after 16 rounds.

Ha Noi go ahead

Ha Noi T&T continued leading the way in the title race as they consolidated their top place on the V-League table with a convincing away win over Becamex Binh Duong in the 16th round match on Saturday.

At Go Dau stadium, Ha Noi T&T came from one goal down to beat home team Binh Duong 3-1 and have 33 points, comfortably at the top.

Samson Kpennosen opened the account for Binh Duong in the 14th as he rose to meet Nguyen Anh Duc's cross in the right wing.

However, Ha Noi T&T found the equaliser just two minutes in the second half. Cristiano Roland's free kick deflected from Binh Duong' wall into goalkeeper Dinh Hoang La's net.

Boosted by the equaliser, Ha Noi T&T took control of the match with two more goals from Cao Sy Cuong's shot just on the edge of the box and Nguyen Van Quyet's exquisite chip over La.

"The two halves were different. The first half we had difficulty finding the goalscoring chances because Binh Duong's defenders played very well," Ha Noi T&T's coach Phan Thanh Hung said in a post-match press conference.

"But Cristiano's early goal in the second half turned the match in our favour. Our players grew in confidence, took control of the match, and the next goals came more easily," Hung, said.

The victory not only helped Ha Noi T&T to lead the title race but also wrote Binh Duong off the race. But Ha Noi T&T's coach Phan Thanh Hung said that the title race had other teams.

"We still have ten games to go and we cannot say anything in advance. We have an important schedule in May with matches against Song Lam Nghe An and Da Nang," he added.

Meanwhile, Binh Duong's newly appointed South Korean coach Cho Yoon Hwan cited poor finishing as the main reason for Binh Duong's home loss under his charge, despite admitting that the opponent played well.

"We had a lot of clear-cut chances our players could not convert, while the defence conceded easy goals. V-League has 10 games to go, so we still have the chance to improve our game," Cho said.

"In the next games, we need to strengthen our defence and improve the finishing ability. I also need to review the efficiency of the midfielders," he added.

"Moreover, we lack some key players who are injured so we do not have the best lineup for the match," he replied to a questioning of his tactical ability. — VNS