Da Nang’s Brazilian striker Merlo Gaston

Da Nang stomped Hoang Anh Gia Lai 4-1 Sunday to bring the favorites closer to their expected maiden championship while Binh Duong was taken out of the running by a 1-4 thumping from underdogs The Cong.

Just halfway through the first half of Da Nang’s home victory at Chi Lang Stadium, the victors surged ahead of the wealthy Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) squad with two goals by Molina Gaston and Merlo Gaston.

Early in the second half, Da Nang’s Almeida failed to score from the penalty spot, inspiring a rush of energy in the away team that propelled Tang Tuan to put one in the net for HAGL at the 65th minute.

However, HAGL’s Duy Quang received a second yellow card four minutes later, making it more difficult for the 2003-04 champs to play with their all.

Da Nang pushed through relatively easy goals by Merlo and Rafael Marques late in the game at the 75th and 77th minutes.

In the south, defending champs Binh Duong suffered a surprise 1-4 loss to minnows The Cong at home in Go Dau Stadium. Sunday’s humiliating defeat has eliminated the wealthy squad from the running for the championship, as Binh Duong’s 20 points puts them 16 points adrift of Da Nang.

The 2005-06 champs Dong Tam Long An (DTLA) took the lead against T&T Hanoi before halftime at Hang Day Stadium with two goals by Antonio Carlos and Viet Thang. But a fierce comeback by the home team – four straight goals – sent the heavily-funded and overconfident DTLA packing for the long trip back down south.

SLNA, who has long been considered the country’s best youth training center, remains in second place after hammering bottom side Thanh Hoa 5-1 at Vinh Stadium.

In other matches, Dong Thap took a 3-1 home victory over Fourth Military Zone at Cao Lanh Stadium and Khanh Hoa beat Ho Chi Minh City Club by the same margin at Nha Trang. Nam Dinh defeated Hai Phong 2-1 at Thien Truong Stadium.

Security was tight at the Hai Phong match as the away team was not allowed to have fans brandishing noisemakers, banners or anything else they could be used to cause a disturbance, in line with a penalty that followed acts of hooliganism last week. About 2,000 Hai Phong fans showed up for the match, but no trouble was caused.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff