VietNamNet Bridge – Hosts Ha Noi T&T yesterday, July 28, trounced Becamex Binh Duong 4-1 in Round 17 of the V-League at Hang Day Stadium.

Hosts Ha Noi T&T yesterday trounced Becamex Binh Duong 4-1 in Round 17 of the V-League. (Photo: VNN)

The victory helped T&T to narrow the gap on V-League leaders Song Lam Nghe An to just one point who also on Saturday defeated former champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai 1-0 on their home turf in Vinh City.

It was the fare-well match for the League's leading scorer Le Cong Vinh, who has signed a one-year contract to play for Japanese side Consadole Sapporo in four months.

The victory help Nghe An maintain their lead at the top of the tournament with 32 points.

In Ha Noi, Bui Van Hieu opened the scoring just two minutes into the match from his first attempt. The defender simply had to tap the ball into the net after receiving an inch perfect pass from Samson in the box area.

Samson then added to his own tally, making it 2-0 in the 25th minute. The Nigerian striker then pocketed his double in the second half from a strong header that dipped over Binh Duong's keeper Hong Son, well out of his reach.

Former national striker Thach Bao Khanh made a perfect run, leaving behind Binh Duong's defenders before sending the ball into the back of the net in the last minute of the game.

The visitors could only take away one goal with them to avoid a humiliating loss in the capital, with the first-half strike by Nguyen Tang Tuan from a close range.

It was T&T's sixth win in their last 10 outings.

Binh Duong coach Le Thuy Hai did not appear at the post-match press briefing, having his assistant Thanh Son stand in for him. He blamed the wet weather for his team's dismal performance.

"It is the big difference in the weather between the North and the South. It rained for the whole 90 minutes and both sides made mistakes, but we were also unlucky as we hit the post twice," said Son.

This defeat keeps Binh Duong at the penultimate position in the table, facing relegation, even though, Son said it was difficult to predict anything at present. He confirmed that everything was in control at Binh Duong.

Meanwhile coach Phan Thanh Hung was satisfied with his team as they had improved on their home performances. He said Binh Duong had several threatening attacks but they tactics were not suitable on the day and their loss was due to their physique.

With 31 points, T&T now lie second in the V-League.

In other matches yesterday, July 28, SHB Da Nang beat Ninh Binh 2-0; Hai Phong swept aside Dong Nai 4-0 and Thanh Hoa lost 1-2 to Xuan Thanh Sai Gon.

In another early match on Saturday, Dong Tam Long An beat Kienlongbank Kien Giang 3-2.

Source: VNS