HCM City beat Sanna Khanh Hoa 2-1 yesterday to go top of the V.League 1, while Thanh Hoa enjoyed their first win in seven matches. Photo petrotimes.vn

As the hosts Khanh Hoa, began the game with confidence and needed only two minutes to open the scoring.

Pham Trung Tinh broke the offside trap and easily tapped in to beat goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Thang of HCM City.

The early goal strengthened Khanh Hoa's spirit and also woke up HCM City’s players.

Tran Thanh Binh equalised with a beautiful volley in the 31st minute and the sides went into the break level.

Disaster struck early in the second stanza for the visitors, as Pham Cong Hien was given a red card after he brought Tinh down during a Khanh Hoa attack.

Coach Chung Hae-seong asked his players to play in defence to protect their point, while the hosts peppered Thang's goal.

HCM City managed to snatch all three points late on, as Huu Tuan’s powerful volley secured victory.

The win pushed HCM City to leading position with 19 points while Khanh Hoa fell to the bottom on five points.

In the day’s other matched in Thanh Hoa, hosts Thanh Hoa grabbed their win in the league this year by beating Quang Nam 3-2.

Thanh Hoa provided free entry for supporters for this game, and they were rewarded with an opening goal 20 minutes in courtesy of Bui Van Hieu’s close-range finish.

Quang Nam striker Ha Minh Tuan made it 1-1 with a header five minutes after the break.

Rimario Allando Gordon and Le Van Thang scored for the hosts in the last 15 minutes before their teammate Le Thanh Binh made an own goal in the last seconds.

"I am really happy because players had a great match and we won. It is a meaningful win for the whole team as we have progressed gradually," said coach Nguyen Duc Thang.

"Thanh Hoa are on right track now. We have overcome difficulties, fixed our disadvantages and determined in every game," he added.

Thanh Hoa jumped to 11th position while they pushed Quang Nam to second-from-bottom.

In the next matches, Thanh Hoa will welcome defending champions Ha Noi FC and Quang Nam will visit HCM City on May 11.

VNS