Ninh Binh stayed on track for promotion to the top-flight V-League with a 2-1 home win Saturday while losses in the First Division’s 11th round matches pushed An Giang and Quang Ngai closer to relegation.

Nine minutes into the second half, substitute Doan Nhat Nguyen found the net less than 30 seconds off the bench. His strike gave no chance to Ninh Binh custodian Dinh Hoang La, who has been called up to join the national team when it gets together the first time this year on May 10 to prepare for a friendly match with the Greek club Olympiakos in Hanoi.

The early goal did not dent Ninh Binh’s composure or confidence, and they attacked relentlessly. The pressure eventually told on the visitors as they conceded a brace in the 77th and 78th minutes, sealing a 2-1 victory and maintaining Ninh Binh is place on the top of the table.

The loss kept Quang Ngai at the bottom with only five points after 11 rounds.

An Giang did not fare better. The Mekong Delta club is just above Quang Ngai after a 0-3 home defeat to Hoa Phat Hanoi.

The home team was not in high spirits, allowing two goals within the first 20 minutes of play. There was no sign of a fightback as the visitors increased their tally with another strike in the injury time of the second half.

The win at Long Xuyen Stadium lifted the capital city team up two places to second with 20 points, three points adrift of leader Ninh Binh.

Binh Dinh remains in third despite a 4-2 home win over Tay Ninh at Quy Nhon Stadium with a hat-trick by Thanh Sang. Binh Dinh also has 20 points and is still in the race for a promotion berth while Tay Ninh remained in fifth place for the third week running.

Home teams Can Tho and Tien Giang took 1-0 and 2-0 victories respectively over the northern and central clubs Quang Ninh and Quang Nam.

Can Tho jumped three places to seventh, Tien Giang climbed one place to 10th while Quang Ninh fell two places to ninth and Quang Nam remained in 12th place.

Saigon United remains in sixth place with a scoreless home draw at Thong Nhat Stadium against Huda Hue city which slipped two places to fourth.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff