A ROASTING FOR CHAMPS DA NANG; LEADERS HANOI HELD

HANOI (4 August 2010) – Defending V-League champions Da Nang suffered their biggest loss to date this season when they were humiliated 4-1 by Dong Tam Long An as league leaders Hanoi T&T maintained their place at the top of the table in spite of their scoreless draw against Song Lam Nghe An.

With the defeat on the 22nd match day of the V-League, Da Nang’s hope of retaining the title they won last year are in jeopardy where they are now on seventh in the 14-team league.

Hanoi T&T are still at the top of the standings with 41 points – nine points ahead of Da Nang with just four more games to play for.

On the road at the Long An Stadium, Danny David’s goal in the 23rd minute gave Dong Tam Long An the lead before Tshamala Kahanga’s hat-trick (45th , 55th and 80th minute) pummelled Da Nang to the ground even though they did score the consolation goal from Matis Recio Eduardo.

While Hanoi T&T held on for the one point, Nam Dinh were relegated after losing 1-0 to Hoa Phat Hanoi.

Hoa Phat’s Timothy spot kick on 41st minute was the only goal in the game which ended Nam Dinh’s hope to stay in the V-League where they have only garnered 12 points from 22 games.

Elsewhere, Hoang Anh Gia Lai edged Dong Thap 1-0 at Pleiku Stadium as Hai Phong crushed Khanh Hoa 2-0.

At the Thanh Hoa Stadium, Thach Bao Khanh scored the opener for the hosts in the 33rd minute but Viet Thang’s goal in the 44th minute gave Ninh Binh a precious point.

The Binh Duong-Navibank Saigon tie also ended in a goalless draw.

CURRENT PETRO VIETNAM GAS V-LEAGUE 2010 STANDINGS (after 22 matches)

1. Hanoi T&T 41pts (+12)

2. Becamex Binh Duong 36pts (+15)

3. Hai Phong Cement 36pts (+4)

4. Dong Thap 35pts (+9)

5. Hoa Phat Hanoi 34pts (+1)

6. Khatoco Khanh Hoa 33pts (-8)

7. SHB Da Nang 32pts (+7)

8. Hoang Anh Gia Lai 32pts (+5)

9. Dong Tam Long An 31pts (=)

10. Vissai Ninh Binh 31pts (+1)