HÀ NỘI — Quảng Nam had their first V.League loss of the season, losing 0-2 to Hải Phòng in the eighth round match yesterday.

Earlier, they played seven matches, with three wins and four draws. The results pushed them into second place in the rankings.

The loss yesterday caused them to drop to third place.

Hải Phòng played on their home turf, but behind a closed door as Việt Nam Football Federation’s fine after their fans set fire to Lạch Tray Stadium last week.

However, thousands of their fans sat around the stadium, watching them on large screens and encouraging strongly from outside.

Jamaican striker Errol Anthony Stevens opened the score at the 25th minute.

Hải Phòng were given a free kick just 18m to goalkeeper Phạm Văn Cường. 

Stevens took the kick, that touched back of a Quảng Nam defender and landed in the net under Cường’s eyes. 

It took the hosts 13 minutes to score the second goal.

Andre Diego Fagan, another Jamaican, had a solo performance from home area. He passed Quảng Nam’s Phan Đình Thắng and Trần Văn Học, before beating goalie Cường. 

The victory helped Hải Phòng jump to No 4 position with the same 13 points as No 3 Quảng Nam.

In another match yesterday between two former champions, Sông Lam Nghệ An tied Becamex Bình Dương 1-1.

Dugary Ndabashinze broke the tie just one minute before the official time, with a header which struck the right pole and enter the net.

While Becamex Bình Dương’s fans jumped up and hugged each other in celebration, the host supporters stayed quiet and thought about their fourth loss.

But the national U23 forward Hồ Tuấn Tài did not think the same.

At the third additional minute, he converted a free kick from a left wing by Hồ Khắc Ngọc into a goal, marking the second match in a row that Sông Lam Nghệ An found one point after being behind.

The result pushed Sông Lam Nghệ An to No 10, while Becamex Bình Dương maintained at 12th position.

On Saturday, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai’s winning streak was ended after they lost 0-1 to HCM City in the last seconds on their home turf in Pleiku City.

Defender Phạm Đăng Tuấn tried to head the ball to the baseline, but it touched the pole and bounced back to striker Dyachenko Rodion Sergey of HCM City. The Russian player easily scored his goal.

“It is an accident. I do not think of a loss today. My players did not perform well, while some wasted too many chances,” said coach Nguyễn Quốc Tuấn of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

“We will take lessons from this match and do better in the next ones.”

Coach Alain Antoine of HCM City said he prepared for difficulties in the match. The three points they earned were not because of luck, but resulted from players’ working together and their determination.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai will stay at home to welcome Sanna Khánh Hoà, who beat Long An 1-0 yesterday.

HCM City will travel to Đà Nẵng to face SHB Đà Nẵng at their lucky Hoà Xuân Stadium. — VNS