THUMPING START TO V-LEAGUE AS HAGL STUMBLE

HANOI (10 Feb 2009) – Two-time V-League champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) did not have the best of start to the V-League this year when they stumbled to a humiliating 3-0 loss to Dong Thap at the Pleiku Stadium.

What made the win more satisfying for Dong Thap was the fact that striker Timothy Anjembe nailed the first hat-trick of the season with goals in the 49th, 65th and 77th minute.

“For over ten years, Dong Thap have not had a good win like this,” said head coach Pham Cong Loc.

“And to think that we were without the regulars like Thanh Binh, Viet Cuong and Van Pho.”

In the meantime, The Cong drew with T&T Ha Noi 1-1 at the Ha Noi’s Hang Day Stadium (pic) with the former scoring first through Nyom Nyom in the 11th minute.

But T&T Ha Noi were more aggressive after the break and they duly nailed the equaliser with three minutes remaining on the clock through striker Cong Vinh.

In the other matches, Khanh Hoa held Dong Tam Long An 1-1 at Nha Trang Stadium; Thanh Hoa beat HCM City 2-0 and Da Nang defeated Hai Phong Cement 1-0 at Chi Lang Stadium.

At the Binh Duong Stadium, host Binh Duong upstaged Nam Dinh 3-0, while Song Lam Nghe An beat Military Zone 4 1-0 at Military Zone 4 Stadium.