VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi T&T jumped to the V. League’s second place after their 2-0 win over Dong Thap yesterday (July 29) in an early match of the round 18.

Kicker: Gonzalo Damian Marronkle of Ha Noi T&T (left) vies for a ball against Samson Kpennosen of Dong Thap during their V.League match on July 29. Ha Noi T&T win 2-0. — Photo VNS

Playing at home was a big advantage for the former champions whose goals came five minutes before the final whistle.

Gonzalo Damian Marronkle, who had missed a penalty kick in first half, opened the score with a strong header.

Hoang Vu Samson added the second one in the dying seconds with a straight shot.

Ha Noi T&T have 32 points, two less than the table topper Hai Phong.

Dong Thap remain at the bottom after their 14th defeat.

Also yesterday, two-time champion Song Lam Nghe An beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 1-0. The only goal went to Odat Onoriode Marshal.

It was the first win after three losses in a row, helping Song Lam Nghe An run far away from the SOS group.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai on the other hand maintained the third place from the bottom, just two points more than Long An who will play Sai Gon FC today. In case of a win, Long An and Hoang Anh Gia Lai will switch their standing.

But Long An are in trouble with naturalised striker Le Van Tan suffered an Achilles injury. He will rest till the end of the season.

Former national midfielder Huynh Tan Tai will also need three more weeks to recover from the pain.

On the other hand, Sai Gon FC’s captain Nguyen Duy Long received two yellow cards in the last match and will remain at home when his team travels to Long An.

The team coach assistant Nguyen Duc Thinh will join him on the bench as he was banned for four matches.

A match between V. League leader Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Coal has been delayed by a day because of the storm and will be played tomorrow.

Despite not having his best players, coach Truong Viet Hoang of Hai Phong says the team is set to win the game although it has to play on an away ground.

A win is necessary for Hai Phong after their humiliating 0-3 defeat to SHB Da Nang last week.

That loss did not affect their No 1 position but narrowed their gap against other groups.

Tomorrow defenders Nguyen Van Nam and Nguyen Anh Hung will not play because of bans while their important midfielder Vu Ngoc Thinh has a torn knee ligament.

“I have my own plan to fill the holes that they left,” Hoang said. He will also rest goalkeeper Dang Van Lam in this match after his several mistakes in recent matches.

Dinh Xuan Viet will return to guard the goal, his usual position last season until round nine.

SHB Da Nang will visit Go Dau Stadium, home to defending champions Becamex Binh Duong.

While the visitors are with their best players, Becamex Binh Duong will miss goal hunter Le Cong Vinh because of cards.

In this round, FLC Thanh Hoa will have executive director Le Thuy Hai back from his ban.

But their key midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh will sit in the stands as he has not played well because of a knee surgery he suffered in May.

Thanh Hoa will welcome Can Tho whose key players, goalkeeper Tran Buu Ngoc, midfielders Nguyen Hieu Trung Anh, Nguyen Van Quan and striker Dinh Hoang Max will be on the bench.

Source: VNS