>>> V.League 1-2020 Phase 2: Five talking points from Matchday 2
Yesterday, the first two matches on the third matchday of V.League 2020 Phase 2 took place, witnessing four among the eight championship contenders playing, Viettel hosting Binh Duong at Hanoi’s Hang Day Stadium with Saigon FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC playing each other in a derby at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
Thanks to their home advantage, hosts Viettel ramped up the game speed right from the first few minutes and were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute, after Bui Tien Dung was downed in the box, allowing Bruno to score the opener from the spot in the 11th minute.
Opportunities continued to come Viettel’s way and they almost added a second goal in the 27th minute, however Caique’s shot hit the crossbar.
In the second half, Becamex Binh Duong attacked more and created many clear scoring opportunities. However, their strikers had a bad day as they continuously missed and ended up having to accept the 1-0 defeat.
In the derby at Thong Nhat Stadium, Saigon FC tied 0-0 with Ho Chi Minh City FC, leaving the former in the second place with 28 points, three behind table leaders Viettel. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City FC have almost no chance to win the championship now with only 21 points, ranked sixth, two points behind fifth ranked Becamex Binh Duong.
Later today, six teams in the second group will compete to avoid relegation, with SHB Da Nang playing hosts to Song Lam Nghe An at Hoa Xuan Stadium, hosts Hai Phong playing Thanh Hoa at Lach Tray Stadium and Quang Nam playing hosts to Nam Ha Pharma Nam Dinh at Tam Ky Stadium.
Two other matches in the top group of eight teams competing for the championship title will also take place today, with Quang Ninh Coal play visitors Hoang Anh Gia Lai at Cam Pha Stadium, while defending champions Hanoi FC play hosts to Hong Linh Ha Tinh at Hang Day Stadium.
