VietNamNet Bridge – SHB Da Nang came from behind to beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-1 in the second match of the V.League yesterday (Feb 28) in Pleiku City.

Tight battle: Tran Minh Vuong of Hoang Anh Gia Lai (right) tries to escape from Le Hoang Thien of SHB Da Nang during their V.League second round match. Da nang won 2-1. — Photo zing.vn

Gaston Merlo scored twice after Nguyen Van Toan opened the scoring.

Toan connected with a corner in the head penalty area and his strong header went straight to the net at the 75th minutes.

Merlo levelled the score with a header from a right wing free kick to beat goalkeeper Pham Van Tien.

He followed it up with an second header in the closing minutes.

Hoang Thanh Tung missed a chance to push Hoang Anh Gia Lai ahead when he shot wide while one-on-one with keeper Le Van Hung.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai drop from the top to fourth position after their defeat and suffered an additional loss with midfielder Duong Van Pho breaking a rib.

SHB Da Nang had their first win and are at the third position.

Hai Phong pocketed their second victory yesterday beating Long An 5-0 at home at Lach Tray Stadium.

Pham Van Thang scored a double for his new club after Andre Diego Fagan scored the first at the end of the first half.

Vuong Quoc Trung and Errol Anthony Stevens then completed a five-star win for the hosts.

In yesterday's other match, newcomer Ha Noi FC enjoyed their first win of the season with a 1-0 win over Dong Thap, with Tran Duc Trung netting the only goal at the end of the first half.

On Saturday, Ha Noi T&T, under young coach Pham Minh Duc, suffered their second defeat 0-1 to Quang Ninh Coal.

Despite home advantage, Ha Noi T&T failed to convert their chances, while Dyachenko Rodion Sergey made his converted his only opportunity in the 66th minute.

Song Lam Nghe An surprisingly lost 0-2 to Can Tho away.

The young players of the former champions have not found their common voice while captain Que Ngoc Hai is yet to return from a ban.

The hosts needed only 20 minutes to beat goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh.

Oseni Ganiyu Bolaji left two Song Lam Nghe An's defenders behind to score his first goal of the season.

Tambwe Patiyo converted a corner from close range 25 minutes later.

The last game between FLC Thanh Hoa and Sanna Khanh Hoa ended with a 2-0 win.

Thanh Hoa's unexperienced coach Le Thuy Hai has all six points after two games and are second in the table.

VNS