Hà Nội FC got off to the perfect start with a hard fought 1-0 victory over rivals Hải Phòng.
Hải Phòng keeper, Đặng Văn Lâm, ensured the first half remained goalless with two fine saves; first denying Ngân Văn Đại at his near post and then pulling off a great reflex save after a corner had deflected off of Hải Phòng captain, Lê Văn Phú.
Hà Nội finally broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when debutant Ngân Văn Đại slotted home the rebound after Oseni’s effort crashed off the bar.
The home side came close to doubling their lead after another fine save from Đặng Văn Lâm denied Oseni, and the rebound this time fell to Đỗ Hùng Dũng, who saw his follow up smash the bar.
Hanoi’s celebrate their opening goal of the campaign. Image: FB Hanoi FC
Quảng Ninh were the other opening day winners with a 1-0 win over Đà Nẵng.
Former Đà Nẵng striker Eydison got the only goal of the game after keeper Nguyễn Thanh Bình fumbled Dương Văn Khoa’s free kick the Brazilian tapped home.
Đà Nẵng striker Gaston Merlo should have secured a point for the visitors but his late penalty flew high over the bar.
Quảng Nam started their title defence with a 1-1 home draw against Sài Gòn.
After a goalless first half Hà Minh Tuấn’s low diving header from close range put the champions ahead. However, Sài Gòn leveled 15 minutes later when Lê Hoàng Thiên scrambled home a corner from close range.
Nam Định, back in the V.League 1 for the first time since 2010 secured a point against Cần Thơ in front of 22,000 fans at the Thiên Trường stadium.
Henry Shackiel saw a first half header fly over the bar after fine work by fellow Nam Định debutant Benjamin, in one of the few first half chances. The visitor’s should have taken the lead early in the second half but Patiyo failed to keep his header on target with Nam Định keeper, Esele, stranded.
Shackiel then sent a delightful chip over Esele but his effort came back off the post and Nguyễn Hữu Định’s follow up was wide of the goal
Moments later Cần Thơ should have been ahead after a woeful back pass fell straight to Rod Dyanchenko on the edge of the box but his tame effort was straight in to the arms of Esele
Back in the top flight. Image: FB Nam Dinh
The remaining match of the weekend saw Hoàng Anh Gia Lai and Bình Dương play out a goalless draw in Pleiku.
Bình Dương’s Nguyễn Anh Đức had the best chance of the first half when he dragged an effort wide from 8 yards, while
HAGL’s best effort came in the second half though Nguyễn Văn Toàn curling effort that narrowly missed the target.
The matches between Khánh Hòa & Thanh Hóa and TP Hồ Chí Minh & Sông Lam Nghệ An were rearranged due to Thanh Hóa & SLNA’s participation in the AFC Cup this week. These ties will now take place on 4/4/18
V.League 1 results round 1.
Nam Định 0-0 Cần Thơ. Thiên Trường stadium, 22,000
Quảng Ninh 1-0 Đà Nẵng. Cẩm Phả stadium, 6,000
Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 0-0 Bình Dương, Pleiku stadium, 11,000
Quảng Nam 1-1 Sài Gòn. Quảng Nam stadium, 8,000
Hà Nội 1-0 Hải Phòng Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi. 12,000
Vietnam Football 