First Division leaders Ninh Binh saw their bid to win a berth in the top-tier V-League stalled yesterday by An Giang who held the northern powerhouse to a 0-0 away draw in the Mekong Delta.

Hoa Phat Hanoi now has 42 points, eight points adrift of Ninh Binh and five points clear of Binh Dinh in third place.

With only five games left to play in the season, Ninh Binh need only one win to secure a place in the higher division. Hoa Phat Hanoi need three wins to clinch a spot in the V-League

Can Tho and Binh Dinh are in a tight race for the third place, the winner of which will compete in a play-off match with V-League’s 12th place team for a spot in the premier division next season.

Mekong Delta club Can Tho took a 1- 1 draw with Hanoi ACB at Hang Day

Stadium in the capital, losing third place to Binh Dinh, who grabbed a 1-0 victory over Saigon United. Can Tho, with 35 points, slipped to fourth and has two points less than Binh Dinh.

The away defeat for Saigon United pushed the HCMC representative to second-to-last place, just above Quang Ngai, who remains at the bottom despite a 2-1 win over Tien Giang.

Quang Nam, who was behind Saigon United, has replaced the HCMC team after a 3-3 away draw with Quang Ninh.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff