Football

Topenland Bình Định players celebrate their goal during their 3-2 win over SHB Đà Nẵng on February 18. Photos of VPF

HÀ NỘI — Topenland Bình Định tops the V.League 1 table after beating SHB Đà Nẵng 3-2 this weekend but coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng was not satisfied with the result, saying his team struggled because of the referee's mistakes.

Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes scored twice and Jermie Dwayne Lynch scored one for the visitors while Rodrigo Da Silva Dias and Mauricio Pinto netted for the hosts at the Hòa Xuân Stadium in Đà Nẵng City.

Bình Định are in the leading position after four matches with nine points. They have won three and lost one.

"Many things were against us in this match. My players felt uncomfortable with the referee's decisions which were not accurate. They should watch the match again and improve their work," Thắng said.

"I think we deserve to win the match after a great effort to score the last goal. My players tried their best to bring home a win as many supporters travelled a long way here to encourage us," he said.

Meanwhile, Đà Nẵng has suffered three defeats in a row after a draw in the opening match. With only one point, the former champions dropped to the bottom place. Coach Phan Thanh Hùng said he knows his position is shaky and is ready to be sacked.

"I want to apologise to our fans and the club managers for today's result. I have to take responsibility for this poor performance. I have tried my best but it is normal if I am sacked. I will accept everything," said Hùng.

He refused to answer questions and left the room after one minute because of 'having no mood for an interview'. But he still hoped his team would get better after a 49-day pause in the league's schedule.

In other matches, defending champions Hà Nội were tied 0-0 by Thanh Hóa despite having the advantage of home soil. They are now at the second position with Thanh Hóa fourth.

The third place went to Nam Định, who drew hosts Viettel in a goalless game at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium.

Elsewhere, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai lengthened their streak of draws with a 1-1 tie against Hà Nội Police. Khánh Hòa shared a point with Sông Lam Nghệ An in a four-goal match with each team scoring twice.

Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh beat Hải Phòng 3-2 even though they were on away ground. And HCM City enjoyed its first win of the season, defeating Becamex Bình Dương 2-1.

The national premier league will be off until April 6 for the Asian U20 Football Championship, which will be from March 1- 18 in Uzbekistan.

Many coaches do not agree with the decision of the organisers.

"There is no league like the V.League 1 which is taking a month off after several matches," said coach Vũ Hồng Việt of Nam Định.

Midfielder Nguyễn Hoàng Đức of Viettel is surrounded by Nam Định players during their match on February 19. The game ended 0-0.

"It is okay if we take time off for the national team but this is the junior U20s. This break is illogical and creates a lot of difficulties for us," he said.

Meanwhile, coach Thắng of Bình Định said he had complained since 2017 about V.League 1's breaks for national teams. But there was no change so clubs must adjust to adapt to the situation.

However, coach Thạch Bảo Khanh of Viettel had no problem, saying his national players need time to rest after playing for the national team for a long time last year.

"Clubs will face challenges but I think we should support national teams who need time to prepare for their coming events," he said. VNS