Song Lam Nghe An, Quang Ninh Coal and Thanh Hoa missed their chances to jump to the top of the V.League 1 after their draws in the 11th round, as leader Becamex Binh Duong played one day later.
Song Lam Nghe An, currently at second position, were tied 2-2 by second-from-bottom Can Tho. Quang Ninh Coal, despite a large bonus from their fan club, failed to defeat Sanna Khanh Hoa. Their match ended 3-3 on Saturday. Also, Thanh Hoa could not score against the effective defence of Quang Nam and brought home only one point after a 0-0 match yesterday.
Their draws resulted in their position being unchanged, leaving an opportunity for Becamex Binh Duong to expand their gap if they have a favorable result against Hai Phong today on their home turf.
The most watched match of the round should be a match between hosts Ha Noi TT and Hoang Anh Gia Lai at the Hang Day Stadium, which lured a record 15,000 spectators.
TT scored a goal every 10 minutes in the first half, with a double by Hoang Vu Samson. Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai score three times, with two of their goals being penalty shootouts.
The victory helped TT end their no-win streak and maintained them at No 9 in the rankings, with 13 points.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai, however, lengthened their poor performance. It was the sixth game in a row that they have not won this season. They are now at 11th place with eight points, just two more than the bottom group.
Coach Guillaume Graechen of Hoang Anh Gia Lai said his team would try to stay clear of the SOS area.
The former champions will welcome a 1.90m-tall midfielder next week, who is expected to improve their ability to resist high balls, which is their weakest point, at present.
Former national U19 halfback Bui Tien Dung, borrowed from Viettel, will also begin his service next week as he fills the hole in Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s defence, Graechen said.
In their next match on May 3, Hoang Anh Gia Lai will host Quang Nam.
Elsewhere, SHB Da Nang defeated Dong Thap 3-1, with all goals scored in the first half. Also, Dong Nai tied Dong Tam Long An in a goalless match yesterday.
Son takes stage as Tai keeps hold of yellow jersey
Ho Hoang Son of Thanh Son Hoa Nong won the 15th stage of the International HCM City Television Cycling Cup yesterday.
Son finished the 133km stage, from Nha Trang City to Phan Rang-Thap Cham City, with a time of 3hr 22.10min.
Also, Nguyen Cuong Khang of BTV Binh Duong and Nguyen Quoc Dinh from Ben Tre came in second and third, respectively.
Nguyen Truong Tai of VUS-HCM City maintained his position as the leader of the tour, cycling for 40:10.39 in the 15 stages. He was followed by Ho Van Phuc of ADC-Vinh Long Television and Nguyen Hoang Giang of Gao Hat Ngoc Troi An Giang.
An Giang ranked top in the team table with 118:29.54. Military Zone 7 and Domesco Dong Thap finished close behind.
Today’s 16th stage runs from Phan Rang-Thap Cham to Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, on 123km.
Ha Noi win junior weightlifting championship
Ha Noi topped the National Junior Weightlifting Championships, which closed in Thai Nguyen Province on Saturday.
The capital city team earned 11 gold, seven silver and 10 bronze medals.
Hai Phong came in second with four silver less than Ha Noi. Tien Giang were third, receiving nine gold medals.
More than 150 athletes competed at the event, in age groups ranging from 13 to 16 years, and in categories such as under-44kg to over-69kg for girls, and under-50kg to over-85kg for boys.
VNS