Look At Vietnam – After the national football team won the AFF Suzuki Cup for the first time, defeating Thailand 3-2 late last December, the atmosphere nationwide seemed to explode with pride, and this pride has travelled over to the V-League 2009 opening, just last Saturday.

At Ha Noi’s Hang Day Stadium, The Cong drew with T&T Ha Noi 1-1. (Photo: VNN)

After the match, coach Pham Cong Loc said, “For over ten years, Dong Thap hasn’t had a good win like that.” He notably didn’t mention the difficulty his team was having without key players like Thanh Binh, Viet Cuong and Van Pho. However, his team now has two new weapons: collective spirit and outstanding athlete Timothy Anjembe. Anjembe overcame the host HA-GL’s defence line to set up the first hattrick of the V-League at the 49th, 65th and 77th minutes.

Seeing the visitors’ discipline, the audience forgot their weak team from two years ago. Chi Hung, Duy Khanh, Van Ngan, Van Moc and Phuoc Thanh co-ordinated deeply with each other all across the match.

Elsewhere, at Ha Noi’s Hang Day Stadium, The Cong drew with T&T Ha Noi 1-1. Both two teams missed many chances to score.

With the support of fans, The Cong attacked in the first minutes of the match. By the 11th minute, Nyom Nyom co-ordinated with Bao Khanh to open the first goal for The Cong.

T&T Ha Noi played aggressively to level the score, but only at the 87th minute of the match. Striker Cong Vinh did a good job of it, despite the teams’ failing at around seven other scoring opportunities.

Also during the first round of V-League play last Saturday, Khanh Hoa tied with 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 Binh Duong Stadium, host Binh Duong won against Nam Dinh 3-0, while Song Lam Nghe An beat Military Zone 4 1-0 at Military Zone 4 Stadium.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News