DA NANG BOUNCE BACK WITH FIRST WIN IN THREE MATCHES

Following back to back defeats in their last two competitive matches, the win was exceptionally alleviating for Da Nang especially when Argentinian striker Merlo Gaston scored the first hat-trick of the new V-League season.

SHB Da Nang lost the National Super Cup when they concede to Lam Son Thanh Hoa on penalties while in the qualifying round for the Asian Football Federation (AFC) Champions League last week, they suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Thai Premier League champions Muang Thong United.

Gaston, the top scorer in 2009, got the ball rolling with the first goal on 15th minute before doubling the lead for Da Nang ten minutes later.

A header just a minute left to the first half allowed Gaston to give the defending champions a confident 3-0 lead going into the second half.

But the break provided Hai Phong with the chance to regroup as they tightened up their defence before scoring their first goal of the game in the 76th minute off Leandro.

And five minutes to the end, Hai Phong nailed their second goal of the game from Xuan Phu – but it was just a tad too late as Da Nang held on for their first three points of the season.