VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi T&T consolidated their lead after extending their season's winning streak with a 3-2 victory over Thanh Hoa in the Viet Nam Super League on Saturday.

In the fifth-round match, a double from midfielder Nguyen Ngoc Duy and a goal from striker Gonzalo Marronkle helped the Ha Noi team win at home.

Ha Noi, one of top title contenders this season, are firmly on the top of the table with 13 points from four wins and a draw.

Ha Noi FC, another Ha Noi club, continued their unlucky run after being edged out by Hoang Anh Gia Lai. It was the team's fourth defeat of the season.

Ha Noi FC was established following a merger between Hoa Phat Ha Noi and Ha Noi ACB at the end of last season.

Ninh Binh, after a poor start to the season, have roared back with three straight wins, including one on Saturday when they beat Hai Phong 2-0 to climb to second place.

In Saturday's most anticipated game, home team Binh Duong drew goalless with defending champions Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) in a packed stadium, with both teams squandering clear-cut chances.

While Binh Duong defender Nguyen Hoang Helio missed a penalty in the 56th minute, for the visitors, Bebbe Gustave Anicet fired a close-range header in front of an open goal wide.

"Both teams had chances and our chances were clearer; but fortune did not smile on us," SLNA head coach Nguyen Huu Thang said.

"The penalty was a little harsh."

Dang Tran Chinh, head coach of Binh Duong, said: "The game was open and of high quality. The result reflects what happened in the game. A creative midfielder and a quality striker is what Binh Duong are missing at the moment."

In other matches of the fifth round played yesterday, Dong Thap beat Navibank Sai Gon 3-1, Khanh Hoa defeated Kien Giang 1-0, Sai Gon FC won SHB Da Nang 2-1.

* Quyet voted football player of month

Vietnamese young midfielder Nguyen Van Quyet has been voted player of the month (January) with 54 points.

Argentinean striker Gaston Sebastian Merlo finished second with 23 points and Huynh Kesley Alves third with 18 points.

Quyet, a member of the national team and U23 team, scored four crucial goals, contributing to two wins and one draw for his team.

He scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Binh Duong, one goal in the stoppage time in the 2-2 draw against defending champions Song Lam Nghe An and a double in the 2-1 victory over Kien Giang.

His club Ha Noi T&T won the club of the month with 59 points. Da Nang was second with 36 points while Sai Gon FC third with 14 points.

The coach of the month was awarded to Le Huynh Duc of Da Nang.