Saigon had the better of the match and took the lead in the opening minutes thanks to Nguyen Van Ngoc’s powerful rocket from 35 metres.
Inspired by the early opener, the home side played with greater excitement, coming close to doubling their advantage in the 13th minute, but Dinh Bao failed to beat keeper To Vinh Loi in a one-on-one.
Saigon FC missed several more chances to score before half time, with Gustavo heading wide from 10 metres and Huu Son striking narrowly off the post.
After the break, Thanh Hoa performed better and created many dangerous attacks on the home side.
Saigon and Thanh Hoa players in action during their match on Saturday. (Photo: VPF)
The guests missed out on an equaliser in the 62nd minute, as Hoang Dinh Tung fired a shot at the post on a rebound after Saigon goalie Van Phong parried a shot.
Xuan Toan punished Thanh Hoa’s wastefulness by blasting a powerful strike from outside the area to beat keeper To Vinh Loi, thus sealing a fantastic 2-0 win for the hosts.
With the victory, Saigon FC have widened their gap with bottom-placed Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN to nine points. Meanwhile, the away loss has pushed Thanh Hoa FC down to the danger zone, standing only five points clear of the bottom and only two points above second-from-bottom Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who still have one game in hand.
Former champions Becamex Binh Duong edged out hosts Quang Ninh Coal 1-0 on Saturday to move up to third in the table, beating their opponents into fifth with one point behind.
Hai Phong FC outclassed V.League newbies Viettel 2-1 in a home thriller to ease their relegation worry.
