Striker Evaldo (2nd, L) scores the only goal in Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s encounter with Da Nang Sunday to earn the home team their first win after three rounds

Dong Thap still leads Vietnam’s top-flight V-League with six points despite Sunday’s 0-1 away loss to the 4th Military Zone, while title holders Binh Duong fell to ninth place after their second defeat.

However, both teams played enthusiastically, making for some exciting football. Lazaro of the home team headed home a long pass by Mota to score the lone goal for the Fourth Military Zone. It was the home team’s first win this season.

Meanwhile, defending champions Binh Duong lost 1-3 to The Cong at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium.

The title holders second away loss was not undeserved. The Cong’s opening score at 62 minutes was due to a variety of reasons, including star defender Huynh Quang Thanh’s absence, Brazilian coach Vital’s inability to adapt to unforeseen situations and The Anh’s poor performance in goal.

Huynh Kesley scored the equalizer in the 69th minute. However, his earlier failure to score from the penalty spot lost Binh Duong a valuable point as the home team took the lead again in the 7 h minute.

In the final minutes, Binh Duong’s players all moved forward in an effort to even the score – but their effort failed and the resulting holes in the defense gave Francois Edene a chance to make it 3-1 for the home team.

In the Central Highlands, Title contenders Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), who spent lots of cash to strengthen the team before the season kicked off, took their first victory at home against Da Nang, another V-league powerhouse.

Thai acquisition Datsakorn Thonglao earned his keep by strengthening the midfield and helping the home team take control for most of the match. Yet they couldn’t capitalize on the advantage until second half stoppage time when Evaldo turned in a Thai Duong split.

However, the 1-0 win failed to lift the 2003-2004 champions HAGL off the bottom of the table.

In the Mekong Delta, the 2005- 2006 champions Dong Tam Long An (Long An) fought to a 2-2 home draw with T&T Hanoi at Long An Stadium.

The home team almost suffered a loss as goalkeeper Phan Van Santos’ carelessness and lack of focus by the fullbacks created opportunities for the visitors to score two goals.

Fortunately for the home team, the visitors holed up in their inadequate defense in order to protect their 2-0 advantage, giving Long An plenty of room to attack.

Long An created constant pressure on the visitors which led to two goals by Bolima Cedric and Phan Van Tai Em in the 7 h and 80th minutes.

Elsewhere, Thanh Hoa drew 2-2 with Song Lam Nghe An, HCMC lost 1-3 against Khatoco Khanh Hoa at HCMC’s Thong Nhat Stadium, and Nam Dinh grabbed a 2-0 away win against Hai Phong to lift it to six points and second place.

Reported by Thanh Nien Staff