Philip Okono helped Nam Dinh defeat Can Tho 1-0 in the play-off match in Da Nang on Sunday to stay in the V-League next season.

First Division third-placed Can Tho and V-League 12th placed Nam Dinh started the game with their aspiration to earn a place in the V-League, the football highest level in Vietnam.

Both teams played at a fast pace and Can Tho did not seemed to be the weeker side in the crash with Nam Dinh. On contrary, they created more chances to score in the first half than Nam Dinh.

In the 17th minute Can Tho’s Da Silva had one on one situation with Nam Dinh keeper Quang Huy but could not convert the chance into goal. One minute later Minh Sen powerful shot went straight to Quang Huy.

Four minutes into the seccond half, Philip Okono gave Nam Dinh the lead when he scored the opener with his header from Van Duyet’s free-kick.

After the goal , Nam Dinh began to play slowly to defend the result while Can Tho tried to fight back, creating some real chances to level the score. Williams Santos also had one on one with goalie Quang Huy but failed to find the net. And in the 85th minute substitute Quoc Trung strike was over the crossbar.

In the last minutes Can Tho could not breach Nam Dinh’s all-team defence and conceded a loss. Four years ago, Can Tho also lost to ACB Hanoi 2-1 in the play-off match.

In a do-or-die match today, one goal was enough for Nam Dinh to continue to play in the V-League next season.

VietNamNet/Nhan Dan