DA NANG ON THE DOUBLE; NHU THANH IN RECORD TRANSFER

The Cong, who had beaten Da Nang 4-3 in the final match of the V-League 2009 last week, went into the game confidently but the early chances failed to find the back of the net.

Da Nang came out stronger into the second half and after several failed attempts, finally cracked the score sheet with the winner on 76th minute when Gaston Merlo blasted in from close range.

With the win, Da Nang also took home VND 250 million (USD 14,000) while The Cong received VND125 million (USD 7,000).

In the meantime,– defender Vu Nhu Thanh has left his current Binh Duong club to join V-League’s debutant Ninh Binh for the new season for what is believed to be a new record in transfer fee of VND8.5 billion (over USD 477,000).

Ninh Binh club’s representative confirmed that Nhu Thanh has signed a three-year contract, with the player rumoured to receive VND3.5 billion (USD 197,000) while his current Binh Duong club will get VND5 billion ((USD 282,000) from Ninh Binh.

Presently, Vietnam’s top striker Le Cong Vinh holds the record for the highest transfer fee when he was bought by T&T Hanoi from Song Lam Nghe An at a cost of over VND7 billion (USD 390,000).

Ninh Binh are also negotiating to buy international striker Viet Thang from Dong Tam Long An at a price of VND6.5 billion (USD 363.000).

PIX: Vu Nhu Thanh in red kit