V- League’s most expensive striker Lee Nguyen (R) fails to go around Phuoc Thanh of Dong Thap in Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s 0-3 home loss in Central Highlands Gia Lai Province Saturday

The nation’s V-League championship lived up to the promise of exciting matches as it kicked off Saturday, with dramatic upsets as well as expected victories.

At the Go Dau Stadium, the home team never looked back after a13th minute strike by South African striker Philani set the tone for the match, which they duly wrapped after two second-half goals from Brazilian Vietnamese striker Huynh Kesley Alves and midfielder Nguyen Duc Thien.

Last year’s runners-up Dong Tam Long An, another contender to the throne this year, were held to a 1-1 away draw with Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the central town of Nha Trang. The home team took the lead halfway through the first half and it took the visitors almost 50 minutes to score the equalizer.

The upset of the day was that of the 3-0 loss suffered by financially better-off Hoang Anh Gia Lai to newly promoted Dong Thap.

Reported by Huu Tho