* V.League preview: Who can stop Hanoi FC?
Receiving the capital team on home field, manager Le Huynh Duc named forward Ha Duc Chinh in their starting lineup, but the striker of the national team disappointed local fans again by shooting over the bar in a one-on-one with Hanoi keeper Van Cong after 10 minutes.
On the opposite side, midfielder Quang Hai impressed strongly with a superb freekick in the 26th minute. From a distance of 25 metres, the 22-year-old curled a shot past Da Nang’s defensive wall towards the left corner to put the guests in front.
Inspired by the early opener, Hanoi FC played with greater confidence and needed only four more minutes to double their advantage, as Van Kien burst into the area and placed a low drive past goalie Nguyen Thanh Binh.
Conceding twice in lightning fashion, the hosts raised their pressure seeking to narrow the gap. Their efforts paid off on the stroke of half-time, with Do Merlo beating Van Cong in a one-on-one to pull back a goal for SHB Da Nang.
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Hanoi and Da Nang players in action during their match on Friday. (Photo: VPF)
The 2012 champions came close to equalising the score nine minutes after the hour mark, as they were awarded a penalty following a handball by Van Kien. However, Do Merlo could not utilise the golden chance to rescue a 2-2 draw for Le Huynh Duc’s side, with his strike from the spot being unexpectedly stopped by the Hanoi keeper.
The sixth win in their unbeaten 10-game league run has helped Hanoi FC to further cement their grip on top of the table with 43 points, eight points clear of Ho Chi Minh City, who will host Quang Ninh Coal later today (August 17).
In another Friday fixture, former champions Becamex Binh Duong outclassed Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) with three straight goals thanks to Nguyen Tien Linh (55’, 86’) and Sy Giap (68’).
The humiliating loss has brought HAGL closer to relegation at the end of the season, as they are now only three points clear of bottom-placed Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN, who still have a game in hand on Sunday.
