Ha Noi T&T displace Da Nang

Head above the rest: Nguyen Cao Thien of Navibank Sai Gon (left) vies for the ball against Ngo Hoang Thinh of Song Lam Nghe An. The two sides drew 1-1 in the 23rd round of V-League on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo Quang Nhut

HA NOI — Ha Noi T&T took the first position of SHB Da Nang after beating Dong Thap 3-1 at Cao Lanh Stadium in the 23rd round of V-League Eximbank yesterday.

They now get 45 points, one more than SHB Da Nang, who surprisingly lost 1-2 to Kien Giang yesterday.

In first minutes of the match, the two sides tried to open the score but their efforts were in vain. In the 23rd minute, Nguyen Van Quyet received the ball and shot the first goal. The hosts attacked but failed to equalise.

In the second half, Dong Thap players overflowed into the guests' territory and in the 58th minute Hodges Devon Derron headed the ball to equal the score.

The hosts dreamed of a win to extend the distance from relegation. They were busy with attacks but neglected defence. It brought an opportunity for Ha Noi T&T to get two goals on counter-attacks thanks to Nguyen Ngoc Duy and Samson Kayode in the 61st and 90th minute.

This loss caused Dong Thap to replace Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the penultimate position. With three goals in the second half, Khanh Hoa won over Hoang Anh Gia Lai to earn 25 points, taking 11th place in the rankings.

Vicem Hai Phong, who will surely be moved to the First Division, played well with the support of their fans on their home ground on Saturday. They defeated Thanh Hoa 2-0 thanks to foreign players Edmund Owusu Ansah and Kavin Elroy Bryan.

In other matches, Navibank Sai Gon drew 1-1 with Song Lam Nghe An on Saturday. Binh Duong beat Ninh Binh 2-1 and Ha Noi FC lost 0-1 to Sai Gon Xuan Thanh yesterday. — VNS