HÀ NỘI — Lê Quốc Phương’s last-minute winner pushed Thanh Hóa to the top position of the V.League yesterday.

Thanh Hóa, on their home turf, beat Quảng Ninh Coal 1-0 in the late match of the 11th round.

Ngô Hoàng Thịnh, who was back in action after a long period of resting due to an injury, assisted Phương with a perfect pass to the box. Phương met with no difficulty while tapping in from a close distance.

With three points grabbed from the match, Thanh Hóa replaces Hà Nội FC in the first position with 26 points in total.

Quảng Ninh Coal maintains the fifth spot with 20 points.

Hà Nội yesterday were unexpectedly tied in a 1-1 game by Cần Thơ, who sit in the next-to-bottom place in the ranking.
The defending champions established their domination from the beginning of the game at the Cần Thơ Stadium.

However, the hosts, who were at a lower level, surprised everyone with their opener in the fifth minute.

Nsi Amogou Jose succeeded with a close-range finish after a counter-attack that Hà Nội’s defenders failed to follow.

Heavier pressure was placed on Cần Thơ, but the capital city strikers could not convert many of their opportunities into a goal.

It was at the 75th mark that Alvaro Linares Silva drew the score with a straight shot.

Former national midfielder Phạm Thành Lương rendered Cần Thơ’s defenders useless with his smart free kick that found Silva in the box. The Filipino midfielder did not waste the opportunity.

Cần Thơ had to play with 10 men in the last 10 minutes when Jose was sent off. The Cameroon striker found that Hà Nội’s midfielder Đỗ Duy Mạnh played an unfriendly game when he tried to continue playing while Cần Thơ goalkeeper Trần Bửu Ngọc was injured and waiting for a doctor’s care. Jose tried to stop Mạnh, making a strong grab to his neck.

Jose received the second yellow card and had to leave the field.

Although they had the advantage of more players, Hà Nội could not find a second goal. The hosts were booed by supporters as they deliberately wasted time on the field.

Hà Nội dropped to No 2 on the table, with 24 points. Cần Thơ remain at No 13.

The V.League will have a short break as players are summoned for the national team, which will compete at the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Play will resume on June 24. Hà Nội will host Hải Phòng, who are in fourth place. Thanh Hóa will entertain SHB Đà Nẵng, who are in the eighth seat. — VNS