VietNamNet Bridge - Top striker Le Cong Vinh made an impressive return to the V-League on Saturday, scoring two goals for Ha Noi T&T, 389 days after he last found the back of the net.

The Hanoian side crushed Navibank Sai Gon 4-0 in the early game of the 10th round and climbed to fifth place in the league with 17 points.

Vinh, who resumed training last October after recovering from knee surgery, scored from a freekick and a penalty after Argentine striker Gonzalo Marronkle opened the scoring with a header, five minutes into the second half.

Nguyen Van Quyet finished the game with a goal in the 86th minute, sealing a convincing win for the defending V-League champions.

Coach Phan Thanh Hung fielded three strikers including Vinh, talismanic Marronkle and Matias Recio Eduador, who terrorised the Navibank defence from the opening whistle, but failed to capitalise in the first half.

Marronkle broke the deadlock five minutes after the break, heading home from a corner to beat goalkeeper Ngoc Tan.

Vinh then sparked wild celebrations from the T&T fans four minutes later, curling a freekick over the wall and into the back of the net.

"It's a very important moment for me after being out for a year. The first goal was a relief and helped ease the pressure of getting back to top form," Vinh said after the match.

The 26-year-old then netted from a spot kick in 77th minute to give Ha Noi a 3-0 lead before teammate Van Quyet finished the rout in the 86th minute.

In another early match on Saturday, Song Lam Nghe An edged Ninh Binh 1-0 to secure top spot in the V-League with 23 points.

Also yesterday, two-time V-League champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai drew with Thanh Hoa 2-2.

The 2008 champions, Da Nang beat Hoa Phat Ha Noi 2-0 at home turf, while Dong Thap were held to a 1-1 draw by Khanh Hoa.

The bottom team Ha Noi ACB played crushed Dong Tam Long An 3-1; Hai Phong drew Becamex Binh Duong 2-2.

Source: VNS