Xuan Hung scored the opener for the hosts before Stevens nailed a hat-trick to join Gaston Merlo of SHB Da Nang on top of the scoring tally with five goals each.

Osmar Moreira saved the guests from a scoreless defeat pulling back two goals in the 45th and 69th minutes.

Hai Phong played offensively right from the start and suddenly cruised ahead due to a mistake by Gia Lai defender Hong Duy, who unexpectedly passed the ball to Xuan Hung enabling the Hai Phong forward to break the deadlock with an accurate shot from 20 metres.

Nine minutes later, defensive loopholes continued to force the guests to pay the price. Receiving a long pass from home field, Stevens managed to break past two Gia Lai defenders before producing a powerful finish from a narrow corner to make it 2-0 for the host team.

With two goals ahead after just 30 minutes, Hai Phong gradually lost their concentration and were only woken up after Hong Viet’s foul on Van Thanh in the area gifted Osmar a golden chance to pull a goal back for the Gia Lai team with an accurate stoppage time penalty kick.

Gia Lai’s inexperience continued to be shown in the second half, with brutal interventions by Anh Tai and Van Tien on Fagan handling Hai Phong two penalties in the 58th and 72nd minute respectively, which were both converted successfully by Stevens.

Osmar netted the second goal for Gia Lai with a 69th-minute strong header, however, his brilliance was not enough to save the guest from an aggregate 2-4 loss.

Winning all matches since the beginning of the season, Hai Phong remain dominant on top of the standings with 15 points, three points ahead of second-place team SHB Da Nang, who edged out Quang Ninh Coal 1-0 in another clash played on the same day.

Last year’s runner-ups Hanoi T&T now sit at the bottom of the ladder with only one point after losing 1-2 to defending champions Becamex Binh Duong.

Results of other Round 5 matches:

- Song Lam Nghe An 1-0 Saigon

- QNK Quang Nam 2-0 FLC Thanh Hoa

- Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN 2-0 Long An

- XSKT Can Tho 4-1 Dong Thap