Fine form: Tambwe Patiyo of Ninh Binh (left) vies for a ball against Nguyen Hong Tien of Ha Noi T&T during a V-League third-round match yesterday in the capital city. Ninh Binh won 3-1. — Photo thethaovanhoa.vn

HA NOI (VNS)— Ninh Binh defeated Ha Noi T&T 3-1 yesterday during an early match of the V-League's third round at Hang Day Stadium.

It was the second victory for Ninh Binh over Ha Noi T&T in the past month. Three weeks ago, Ninh Binh beat T&T on penalty shootouts to win the National Super Cup trophy for the first time in their team's history.

Ninh Binh went ahead just five minutes into the match when Tambwe Patiyo converted a left-wing pass into the opening goal with a header.

The goal, however, did not wake up the sleepy defenders of Ha Noi T&T, who then suffered the second goal just six minutes later by Kavin Bryan, who looped the ball over goalkeeper Duong Hong Son's head to enter the net.

Coach Phan Thanh Hung then made an unexpected change when his leading striker, Gonzalo Damian Marronkle, had to be replaced due to a thigh injury. National team member Pham Thanh Luong was put on the field and made a slight improvement for his side.

They then narrowed the score at the 15th minute. Citizenlised player Hong Vu Samson, who controlled the ball from Luong, scored to make the score 1-2.

However that was all Ha Noi T&T could do. Marronkle's disappearance left a large hole in T&T's line-up. The Argentinian was so important, that coach Hung confirmed that his team usually lost its matches without Marronkle, while coach Nguyen Van Sy of Ninh Binh said his team was lucky to have had the striker sidelined.

"We were not good in the first 30 minutes, when my rivals went ahead. My defenders did not work well, while we had to change our tactics because of losing Marronkle. It must be corrected right after this round," said Hung at the post-match conference.

"Both teams had the same chances, but it is important that my side managed ours thanks to their intensive focus, which was much different than our previous games. Marronkle was on the bench early, so he helped reduce the pressure on our players," said Sy, who used to be Hung's assistant at the national team.

The final goal came at the 34th minute. Patiyo made his double from a free kick, which goalie Son mistakenly missed.

Losing the match on home turf caused T&T boss Nguyen Sy Hien to become angry, as he complained about what he described as referee Dinh Van Dung's unfair decisions, which gave advantages to the visiting team.

"I have never commented about their job before, but I cannot keep silent any more. If these poor-quality referees continue officiating, then Viet Nam football will not develop," Hien said.

T&T assistant coach Van Sy Son earlier reacted to one of referee Dung's decisions, and was given a red card.

The first failure of the season did not change the second position of T&T in the ranking, while Ninh Binh, with three more points, jumped from 11th to fourth place.

During the later games this weekend, leader Song Lam Nghe An will play Thanh Hoa; Quang Nam meets Hai Phong; Becamex Binh Duong welcomes Quang Ninh Coal; SHB Da Nang hosts Dong Nai and Dong Tam Long An plays Hoang Anh Gia Lai. — VNS