SLIM WIN KEEPS DA NANG ON TOP IN V-LEAGUE

HANOI (22 April 2009) – SHB Da Nang maintained their position at the top of the V-League this week with a slim win over Dong Thap as Brazilian Jose De Emidio Almeida scored the only goal deep in injury time.

After nine matches into the new V-League season, Da Nang have picked up 19 points coming off six wins, one draw and two defeats.

In the meantime, Vietnam international striker Nguyen Viet Thang and Brazilian-born Antonio Carlos scored a goal each to help their Dong Tam Long An side pip Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

Lazaro De Souza, from Military Zone 4, stunned Hanoi T&T at Hang Day Stadium when he scored just three minutes before the final whistle to take a 1-0 win.

At the Thong Nhat Stadium, HCM City gave up a 1-0 lead after just ten minutes for Hai Phong to win the tie 2-1.

Brazilian playmaker Leandro found the equaliser on 40 minute before striker Nguyen Ngoc Thanh then cemented the win for the northern port city with a late goal.

The Cong, or the Army team, tasted their second defeat in a row when they were beaten by Thanh Hoa 2-1 at Thanh Hoa Stadium while former V-League champions Song Lam Nghe An took a 2-1 win over a tough Nam Dinh outfit.

In an earlier match, Khanh Hoa held defending champions Binh Duong to a scoreless draw.

CURRENT V-LEAGUE 2009 STANDINGS

1. SHB Da Nang 19pts (+10)

2. K.Khanh Hoa 16pts (+5)

3. Military Zone 4 15pts (-2)

4. TDCS Dong Thap 14pts (+7)

5. Song Lam Nghe An 14pts (+1)

6. Dong Tam Long An 12pts (+3)

7. B.Binh Duong 12pts (+2)

8. The Cong 11pts (-3)

9. T&T Hanoi 11pts (-3)

10. Mikado Nam Dinh 10pts (-3)