HCM CITY (VNS)— Belgian striker Mousa Sanogo salvaged a hard-fought point for Vissai Ninh Binh with a last-grasp strike in what was the last kick of the early match against Xuan Thanh Sai Gon yesterday.

Nigerian striker Timothy Anjembe put Vissai Ninh Binh ahead with a header but Ugandan midfielder Geofrey Baba Kizito tapped in a rebound to level for Xuan Thanh Sai Gon.

Nsi Amougou scored a brace in the second half but goals from Mai Tien Thanh and Sanago prevented the HCM City team from celebrating their second successive win.

The draw does not affect their positions in the V-League table, with Ninh Binh in eighth and Xuan Thanh in ninth.

The goal also cements Sanago's status as the leading scorer in the league with a goal tally of eight, including four goals against SHB Da Nang last weekend.

Despite playing at home and entering the match on the back of a remarkable 4-1 victory over the defending champion SHB Da Nang, Vissai Ninh Binh failed to carry their momentum into the opening minutes of the match.

They started the match slowly and allowed Xuan Thanh to control the game and gave them the opportunity to test goalkeeper Bui Quang Huy.

The home team, however, gradually improved as the first half went on, and they started to exert some pressure on Xuan Thanh.

Ninh Binh's efforts were rewarded in the 29th minute when unmarked Anjembe headed a floating ball into the back of the net.

Ninh Binh's advantage was quickly cancelled out as Uganda's Kizito appeared in the right place at the right time to poke home the rebound from Huy's effort to clear Nsi Amougou's right-wing cross.

Ninh Binh enjoyed more possession towards the end of the first half with Anjembe coming close to doubling his tally with a glorious opportunity at the start of the second half, but he could only shoot straight at opposition ‘keeper Nguyen Minh Nhat.

Nsi headed Xuan Thanh ahead from Melquiades Gomez's corner but midfielder and captain Mai Tien Thanh immediately equalised with an angled shot inside the box.

Nsi once again put Xuan Thanh in front as he demonstrated that he was not only good at finishing off chances created by his teammates.

The Cameroonian striker twisted past three defenders and ended his stunning dribble with a low shot to beat Huy, who should have done better.

Sanogo salvaged a point for Ninh Binh in the last minute of injury time, latching onto Gia Tu's to send the ball past Nhut, who was also at fault.

In the other early match yesterday, Dong Tam Long An beat Vicem Hai Phong 2-1. — VNS