Bình Dương moved level with Hà Nội T&T at the top of the Vleague after defeating the league leaders 2-0 at the Go Dau stadium on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half it was the league champions who came closest to breaking the deadlock when midfielder, Van Hieu, saw his free kick hit the crossbar.

Bình Dương’s Nguyen Anh Duc opened the scoring on 66 minutes; showing composure to drill a low shot through a crowded T&T penalty area.

With T&T pushing for the equaliser, Nguyen Trong Hoang, exposed the defence deep into injury and sealed the win for the home side.

Both sides now sit joint top with 35 points, however T&T have a game in hand and a slightly superior goal-difference.

Thanh Hoa have dragged themselves back in to the title with a 1-0 win over struggling Hai Phong. Le Van Tan’s 89^th minute goal moves them to within three points of the top two.

In the days other game, Dong Nai beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 4-2, at the Pleaku stadium. HAGL’s Anjembe Timothy grabbed a brace for the home side, moving him to the top of the goal-scorers chart with 18 from 15 matches.

In their post match interviews managers Nguyen Thanh Son and Phan Thanh Hung, of Bình Dương  & T&T respectively,voiced their concerns over the Vleague scheduling fixtures during this years World Cup. Both stated they’ve not banned their players from viewing the matches, but have reminded them they are professionals and to watch just the big games. With the matches broadcast between 11pm and 5am, I for one know, my ability to achieve anything productive since Brazil kicked off against Croatia has dramatically reduced.

The World Cup is also being blamed for a drastic drop in attendances, with (approx) 5,000 turning up to witness the best two sides in the league, whereas the corresponding fixture last season attracted 12,000, and that’s when the home side were struggling for form. Even the passionate supporters of SLNA stayed at home, as the team from Vinh only drew 2,500 fans to witness Le Cong Vinh grab a late winner against Quang Ninh on Sunday.

FIFA’s WC millions will not help to replace lost gate receipts or to increase interest in ‘smaller’ domestic leagues. The V league, never shy of late fixture changes, really should have thought about the negative effects, but maybe they too are a little tired.