Rufino Marcelo (2nd, R) goes around a Binh Dinh defender to score for home team Can Tho in a First Division game yesterday

First Division clubs Ninh Binh and Hoa Phat Hanoi appear to be well on their way to the top-flight V-League, while Can Tho has climbed into third place after beating their arch-rivals Binh Dinh.

They both came from a goal behind to steal the wins. Ninh Binh defeated home team Tien Giang 3-1 and now has 46 points, 10 points clear of second-place Hoa Phat Hanoi. Ninh Binh needs just two more wins to earn a berth in the V-League next year.

Hoa Phat Hanoi played on home turf at Hanoi Hang Day Stadium but conceded a goal just eight minutes into the match. But the club fought back fiercely and beat Tay Ninh 2-1.

Last week’s third-placed Binh Dinh, from the central region, suffered a 1-3 away defeat to Can Tho, losing third place to their Mekong Delta rivals in the process. The team that finishes in third place will play the third-to-last team in the V-League for a spot in the top-tier competitions next year.

Meanwhile, the teams near the bottom of the table seem to have accepted their fate. Quang Ngai sunk to last place with a 1-3 loss to An Giang.

Unfortunately, Quang Ngai failed to capitalize on the advantage of having more players after the home team’s Xuan Nam was sent off after receiving a red card in the 63rd minute.

Quang Ngai conceded to Rodrigo Toledo for An Giang in the first half. The squad from the central region equalized in the 65th minute before Toledo scored his second goal and Thanh Tung ended Quang Ngai’s hopes with a goal six minutes from time.

Quang Ngai’s neighbors Quang Nam fared a little better in a scoreless draw at home with Dong Nai. Quang Nam now sits just above Quang Ngai at the bottom.

Huda Hue city also drew 0-0 at home with Quang Ninh while Saigon United suffered a 1-2 loss to Hanoi ACB and now stands just above Tien Giang, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff