HA NOI (VNS)  — Le Cong Vinh marked his return to the main team of Becamex Binh Duong with a goal just seven seconds into the match against Hai Phong in the V.League 1 round 11 yesterday.

Vinh's goal was the fastest ever in the national premier league.

Vinh was dumped on the bench most of the time with Binh Duong, which were managed by experienced Le Thuy Hai.

The Nghe An Province-born striker did not win Hai's heart and was given few chances to play, although he was one of the highest-paid players in Viet Nam.

Under Hai's reign, Vinh played only six matches - and only two of them from the beginning.

His total playing time of 259 minutes compares with 1,762 minutes in total for Song Lam Nghe An last season.

Hai resigned last week and Vinh immediately become a hero.

Vinh received a ball from his teammate's first kick from the central area. He broke Hai Phong's defence before it could gain strength.

His second goal of the tournament was a positive sign for him as national coach Toshyia Miura who was on the stand looking for players.

Hai Phong fought for an equaliser, but their attempts failed – and Binh Duong scored again.

Cheikh Abass Dieng defeated goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Thang for the second time with a straight kick to the left corner in the end of the first half.

Dang Khanh Lam narrowed the result for the visitors with a tap-in in the 69th minute after consecutive attacks.

However substitute Nguyen Tang Tuan finalised the score from a narrow angle just one minute on the field at the 74th minute.

The win keeps Binh Duong on the top of the table with 25 points after 11 rounds. The gap between them and the three chasing teams grew to four points.

Hai Phong are in fifth position with 19 points. Their young midfielder Vu Ngoc Thinh received a second yellow card and will be banned next round.

V.League 1 players will have no time to enjoy the national re-unification vacation as the next round will start on May 1.

Former champions Ha Noi T&T will play hosts Dong Thap on Friday.

Binh Duong will travel to Nha Trang to face Sanna Khanh Hoa. SHB Da Nang will host third-placed Quang Ninh Coal - and Dong Tam Long An will welcome Hai Phong. All matches are on Saturday.

Former winners Song Lam Nghe An will play Dong Nai. Hoang Anh Gia Lai have a chance to improve their ranking when entertaining Quang Nam on home soil. Outstanding Thanh Hoa will be visitors to Can Tho on Sunday. — VNS