VietNamNet Bridge – Quang Ninh Coal jumped to the top of V.League after their 3-1 win over Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the rain yesterday, Aug 28.

Nghiem Xuan Tu opens the score the Quang Ninh Coal in a match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai on August 28. Quang Ninh win 3-1. — Photo webthethao.vn

It was their most important victory, as they are one of the top four teams vying for the title of the national premier league, which has three rounds remaining.

Quang Ninh were in the third position prior to yesterday’s matches. While they won, two teams in higher positions – Hai Phong and SHB Da Nang – suffered unexpected losses, while fourth-placed Ha Noi T&T defeated Sai Gon to move into second place.

Nghiem Xuan Tu opened the scoring for Quang Ninh at the 31st minute with a penalty kick. The host squad needed nine minutes to double the score with Mac Hong Quan, whose technical finished from the 16.50m line and went straight into the net.

Russian Dyachenko Rodion Sergey netted his 12th goal of the tournament in the second half when his team dominated the game, which was strongly affected by the rain.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai could only narrow the score with a goal by national U21 member Nguyen Van Toan in the additional time, after he converted a mistake by Quang Ninh’s defence into a goal.

Quang Ninh have 43 points, two more than Ha Noi T&T.

They will next meet FLC Thanh Hoa on September 4.

Thanh Hoa maintained the fifth position after their 4-2 win over Dong Thap on Saturday.

Playing on Can Tho ground, Hai Phong went ahead with Stefen’s goal just three minutes into the match.

However, Can Tho fought back strongly with three goals, including two in the first half and one in the second, to take the lead.

Nguyen Dinh Bao netted the second goal for Hai Phong at the 65th mark, but it was not enough to save his team from losing leading position.

They dropped two positions to No 3 with 41 points.

It was the second time Hai Phong lost their lead this year.

Meanwhile, SHB Da Nang were defeated 1-3 by Sanna Khanh Hoa, also on away ground.

The loss pushed the former champions to No 4 with 40 points.

All four leading teams still have a chance to win this year’s tournament, as the gap between them can be changed with only a draw in the next round.

In another match, reigning champions Becamex Binh Duong came from behind to beat Long An 3-2. The third win in a row lifted them to the seventh position, but they no longer can defend their title.

Earlier, former winner Song Lam Nghe An lost 0-2 to Quang Nam. It was the third match that Nghe An have not won.

Quang Nam, however, won after two defeats in a row.

Source: VNS