VietNamNet Bridge – V-League defending champions Ha Noi T&T edged closer to defending their title after beating SHB Da Nang by 3-1 while former champions Song Lam Nghe An suffered their second defeat in a row in Ha Noi yesterday, June 5.

Da Nang's Gaston Merlo put his team in the lead after a cross-field solo effort easily found the net, three minutes after which T&T's Gonzalo Marronkle levelled the score by a header that forced the Da Nang goalie, Thanh Binh, to wrestle the ball from the net.

Top national striker Le Cong Vinh scored for T&T after being awarded a penalty due to Da Nang defender Tan Dien's foul on striker Hong Tien making it 2-1 for the champions.

Midfielder Vo Duy Nam set up a beautiful goal in the 17th minute with a banana-shaped, 22m tap into the net.

T&T's victory helped them move a spot up into fourth position with 27 points, one with one match still in hand while Da Nang maintained second place with 31 points.

Song Lam Nghe An were hard hit by their defeat against Hanoians Hoa Phat Ha Noi by 2-1 following a winning-streak.

Hoa Phat's Timothy Anjembe converted a penalty to open scoring only seconds after the break. A Nghe An penalty, deftly taken by Nguyen Hoang Helio in the 65th minute, resulted in a level score, two minutes after which Anjembe scored his second, match winning goal.

Nghe An retained their 35 point top spot despite losing with four more points than their closest rivals Da Nang.

Hoa Phat moved up from 11th to ninth place ending on 21 points, miles away from the relegation zone.

During other matches on the same day, two-time champion Becamex Binh Duong defeated Khatoco Khanh Hoa by 2-0, Dong Tam Long An drew with Vissai Ninh Binh by 2-2 and Dong Thap, the surprise team of the season, defeated Hai Phong Cement by 2-0.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai trounced Ha Noi ACB with a tennis score of 6-1 while Thanh Hoa went home with a 2-0 win over Navibank Sai Gon on Saturday.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News