Newly promoted Dong Thap proved its 3-0 upset of former champion and strong throne contenders Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) in the first round last week was no fluke by beating reigning champs Binh Duong 1-0 Sunday.

New recruit Timothy Anjembe of Nigeria had Dong Thap flying high with a hat-trick last week and was the scorer of Sunday’s solitary goal.

The 22-year-old Nigerian did not disappoint the 18,000 Dong Thap fans who thronged the Cao Lanh Stadium after the team’s first-round showing. It has been a long time since the provincial stadium has been packed.

Champions Binh Duong controlled the match but the home team came up with a suitable strategy, counterattacking with Anjembe as the only striker up front.

And the Nigerian obliged one minute into the second half to put the home team ahead, and it stayed there despite the changes effected by the visitors’ coach.

The home fans almost went crazy in the final minutes as the Nigerian’s free kick from about 35 meters to hit the bar.

In other V-League matches, 2003- 2004 champions HAGL failed to recover from its first-round loss, going down 1-0 to HCMC Club at HCMC’s Thong Nhat Stadium, and now languishes at the bottom of the table.

Hai Phong came from behind to take a 2-1 home win over The Cong; Nam Dinh and T&T Hanoi both earned 1-0 home wins over Thanh Hoa and Da Nang respectively.

The 2005-2006 champions, Dong Tam Long An, defeated the newly promoted Fourth Military Zone 2-0 at home, with both goals scored by foreign recruits Bolima Cedric and Everton.

Meanwhile, Song Lam Nghe An was held to a scoreless draw at home by Khatoco Khanh Hoa as the latter’s goalkeeper put up a strong display.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff