Hai Phong were off to a good start in the first round of the V.League 1 yesterday when they defeated Song Lam Nghe An 2-0 at Vinh Stadium.

From a pass by Errol Stevens in the left wing, midfielder Le Xuan Hung opened the score for Hai Phong in the third minute.

Only five minutes later, receiving the ball from a corner kick by Stevens, Hung scored his second goal.

In other matches, Quang Ninh Coal lost to Khanh Hoa 2-1, Dong Tam Long An won Quang Nam 1-0, and Hoang Anh Gia Lai beat Ha Noi FC 5-0.

On Saturday, Thanh Hoa defeated V.League runner-up Ha Noi T&T 3-0. With the support of fans, hosts Thanh Hoa began their attack from the first minute of the match.

Victor Ormazabal of the visitors committed an error with striker Ivan Firer in the penalty area in the second minute, and captain striker Pape Omar Faye succeeded in taking a penalty from 11m spot for Thanh Hoa.

The visitors made many quick attacks to level the goals, creating three chances to score goals, but they failed.

In the 39th minute, Thanh Hoa doubled the score thanks to a goal from Hoang Dinh Tung.

After the break, while Ha Noi T&T were seeking a way to the net of Thanh Hoa, the latter had one more goal in the 70th minute.

The visitors' defenders once again made an error, with Firer in the penalty area, as striker Faye defeated goalie Tran Anh Duc to fix the score of 3-0 for Thanh Hoa.

Thanh Hoa finished third in the 2014-15 season, under young coach Hoang Thanh Tung. They are seeking to capture the league title for the first time this year, under veteran coach Le Thuy Hai.

In another match at Binh Duong Stadium, defending Becamex Binh Duong crushed Can Tho 2-0.

The two goals by the hosts Binh Duong were scored by striker Nguyen Anh Duc in the 20th minute and midfielder Trinh Quang Vinh five minutes later.

At Chi Lang Stadium, Da Nang bested Dong Thap 2-1.

VNS