HÀ NỘI —  Sông Lam Nghệ An finally registered a win against Becamex Bình Dương on their home turf in the V. League after five years.
The former champions yesterday defeated the reigning champions 2-1 in an early round four match of the national premier league at the Gò Đậu Stadium in Bình Dương City.
Odat Onoriode Marshal scored a double in a match that saw the return of the former national U-23 captain Quế Ngọc Hải, who is back to action after serving a ban that lasted some six months.
Hải sent a perfect ball to Odat who broke into Becamex Bình Dương’s penalty area before leaving a defender behind to make a straight shot to goalkeeper Bùi Tấn Trường’s net in the 43th minute.
Nigerian striker Odat completed his double 15 minutes before the end.
He converted a smart pass by Basa Salia from the left wing into a goal that was so difficult that Trường tried his best but failed to block.
Becamex Bình Dương’s goal was sandwiched between Sông Lam Nghệ An’s ones, coming nearly 15 minutes after the interval.
Nsi Amogou sent the ball in when he managed to trap it in a melee in front of goalkeeper Trần Nguyên Mạnh’s area.
It was the first win for the visitors which pulls them out of the bottom place and pushes them up to the seventh with four points.
Becamex Bình Dương, who suffered their first loss and remain in fifth place, will travel to South Korea to play Jeonbuk Hyundai Motor in the Asian Champions League’s group round match.
In other matches during the weekend, Quảng Ninh Coal hosts FLC Thanh Hóa, Hà Nội T&T visits Sanna Khánh Hòa, Quảng Nam will meet Hải Phòng, and Đồng Tháp will welcome Hòang Anh Gia Lai; while Cần Thơ are to entertain Long An, and Hà Nội FC will face SHB ĐàNẵng.
After the fourth round, clubs will rest for about one month after which players will be summoned to serve the national team. — VNS