NAM DINH TAKE OVER AT THE TOP OF V-LEAGUE

HANOI (20 March 2009) – With defending champions Binh Duong occupied by their participation in the AFC Cup 2009 this week, the slim win by Nam Dinh over The Cong has allowed them to take over the top spot in the V-League.

Le Ngoc Lung’s second half goal (73rd minute) was enough for Nam Dinh to secure the full points against The Cong as Hoang Anh Gia Lai produced another commendable performance to beat T & T Hanoi 2-0.

It would seem that the absence of international striker Le Cong Vinh for T & T would make the difference as Hoang Anh Gia Lai stepped up the tempo after the break with several chances on a trot.

It took them just eight minutes to go in front with Thanh Binh nailing the opening goal off a header from a corner while two minutes later, Thong Lao gave HAGL their second goal off a superbly taken corner kick.

The defeat was T & T’s first loss of the season.

In the meantime in the other matches, Da Nang beat Military Zone IV 5-2 while the matches between Song Lam Nghe An and Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap and Dong Tam Long An, Khanh Hoa and Thanh Hoa ended in 1-1 draws.

With the win for Nam Dinh, they now sit at the top of the V-league with 10 points, Khanh Hoa dropped to second while Hoang Anh Gia Lai moved to third.

CURRENT V-LEAGUE 2009 STANDINGS

1. Mikado Nam Dinh 10pts (+1)

2. K. Khanh Hoa 9pts (+4)

3. Hoang Anh Gia Lai 9pts (=)

4. SHB Da Nang 9pts (+3)

5. T&T Hanoi 8pts (=)

6. Dong Tam Long An 7pts (+2)

7. Song Lam Nghe An 7pts (+1)

8. Cao Su Dong Thap 7pts (+1)

9. Quan Khu 6pts (-4)

10. The Cong 5pts (=)

11. XMCT. Thanh Hoa 5pts (=)