>> Reigning champions rally to top as V-League 1-2015 commences
1. Reigning champions boast power
Without stars Cong Vinh and Anh Duc in their lineup, defending champions Becamex Binh Duong still proved their superior strength by demolishing newbies Dong Thap 6-1 in their V-League opener on Sunday. This commanding victory acted as a war declaration from Binh Duong towards their opponents and reflected the team’s ambition for this year’s championship crown.
2. U19 Vietnam stars shine on V-League debut
Many players from the national men’s U19 football team performed outstandingly at their debut at the V-League arena yesterday. Tuan Anh, Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong counted four goals in Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s 6-1 win over Dong Thap, while Duy Manh saved Hanoi T&T a precious point with his equaliser in Hanoi’s 1-1 draw against Dong Tam Long An.
3. Former champions suffer tough starts
Three former V-League champions (from 2009 to 2013) got off to gloomy starts at this year’s V-League campaign as SHB Da Nang and Song Lam Nghe An suffered 1-2 and 0-3 losses to Thanh Hoa and Vicem Hai Phong respectively, while Hanoi T&T were held to a 1-1 draw by underdogs Dong Tam Long An. These pessimistic results heralded a tough football season for the three V-League powerhouses.
4. New contracts prove effective
Many ‘freshmen’ scored for their teams in the first round of the Toyota V-League 1-2015 on Sunday. Up to seven goals were blasted by the ‘new contracts’ including Sy Cuong and Dinh Tung (Thanh Hoa); Hoang Max and Bernando (Quang Ninh Coal); Gomez (SHB Da Nang); Stevens (Vicen Hai Phong); and Souleiman (Dong Tam Long An).
5. Domestic players impress
As many as 23 goals were scored in seven first-round matches on January 4, with domestic players overwhelming in an impressive fashion. Foreign and naturalised players accounted for just eight goals, while 12 domestic ones netted a total of 15 goals, with Trong Hoang and Tang Tuan (Becamex Binh Duong), and Cong Phuong (Hoang Anh Gia Lai) earning a double.
