HÀ NỘI — Sanna Khánh Hòa enjoyed their first win on home turf beating 10-man Hải Phòng 2-1 yesterday in Nha Trang City in an early match of the V. League’s seventh round.

Hải Phòng were considered a stronger team when they welcomed back striker Errol Anthony Stevens after his ban. Khánh Hòa, on the other hand, pinned their faith on foreigner Diao Sadio.

However, in the first 45 minutes, both sides failed to net a single goal although they had their opportunities.

It continued on the same lines in the first 25 minutes after the break.

The turning point came in the 70th minute when Nguyễn Hoàng Quốc Chí made a straight shot which touched Hải Phòng’s midfielder Đặng Khánh Lâm in the box and changed its direction to enter the net.

Goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm could not react fast enough to save the goal.

Hải Phòng pushed up their lines and just needed six minutes to find the equaliser.

Andre Diego Fagan’s header gave goalie Nguyễn Tuấn Mạnh no chance. It was 1-1.

Sixty seconds later Hải Phòng’s midfielder Lê Ngọc Nam received his second card and was sent off.

The hosts Khánh Hòa took full advantage and had no difficulty making it 2-1. Their consecutive attacks confused Hải Phòng defenders. In an attempt to kick the ball away, Đặng Quang Huy  unintentionally kicked the ball into his own goal. Keeper Lâm tried his best but failed to stop it.

The win helped Khánh Hòa jump to No 7 in the ranking with nine points while Hải Phòng stayed on fourth, with 10 points.

Six other matches of the seventh round will be held today and tomorrow. — VNS