Nigerian striker Timothy Anjembe (L) .— Photo bongda

DA NANG (VNS)— Nigerian striker Timothy Anjembe helped Hoang Anh Gia Lai dominate An Giang in the eighth round of the national V-League championship on home turf yesterday.

The win carried the Central Highlands province team to fifth place on the leader board with 11 points after seven matches.

An Giang remained at the bottom with only one point from seven games.

In another match played yesterday, Becamex Binh Duong crushed QNK Quang Nam 5-2 to take fourth place.

On Saturday, Dong Tam Long An were locked into a 1-1 draw by Dong Nai, while Quang Ninh went down 3-0 to visiting team Hai Phong.

Thanh Hoa, who did not play yesterday, lead the table with 19 points, five points ahead of runners-up Quang Ninh. Hai Phong leapt to the third place with 12 points.

Hosts Hoang Anh Gia Lai surprised in the game against newcomers An Giang in a good weather in the Central Highlands region. However, the host had to wait until the 28th minute to attack the goal, with Nigerian Felix Ogbuke launching a shot that skimmed the bar.

The host team's duo Felix and Timothy failed to break An Giang's defence to open the score in the first half.

Three minutes after the break, Hoang Thien netted the ball for Gia Lai, but was caught offside.

Goalie Minh Nhat of An Giang showed fine form, launching powerful shots from Felix and Timothy.

However, Nhat could not save Timothy's finish in the 78th minute when the Nigerian striker skillfully netted the ball.

Felix failed to convert an opportunity in the 84th minute with a shot clearing the post.

A minute from the final whistle, Timothy netted his second goal of the match with a free header, leading the V-League's top scorer list with nine goals of the season.

The championship will resume next Saturday, where An Giang is due to Da Nang and Thanh Hoa will face Quang Nam on home turf. In other matches, Song Lam Nghe An will take on Hai Phong, with Quang Ninh to face off with Ha Noi T&T.

Dong Nai will compete against Hoang Anh Gia Lai on Sunday. — VNS