Last season’s top two, Quảng Nam and Thanh Hoa, faced off at Tam Ky in front of 12,000 fans. The champions took the lead after 12’ as Phan Thanh Hưng nodded home Đinh Thanh Trung’s free kick. Quảng Nam came close to doubling their lead when Hà Minh Tuấn’s wonderful chest down and volley struck the underside of the bar and Suleiman failed to convert the rebound. Thanh Hoa failed to impressive in the final third, with Faye’s dragged effort off target their best chance. Caludercir, having resolved his contract dispute was an unused substitute for Quảng Nam

Errol Stevens scored the only goal of the game as Hai Phong recorded their first victory of the campaign. In front of a packed Thiên Trường stadium, Stevens latched on to a long clearance, took one touch to control the ball before hitting a wonderful effort in to the top corner from 20 yards.

Promoted Nam Dinh battled well, and could have been level when the lively Benjamin cut back for Phạm Văn Thuận who failed to hit the target.  Nam Dinh will now hope to record their first topflight win when they travel to HAGL in the next round.

Stevens celebrates with the Hai Phong fans (image: FB:vietnam football)

TP.Hồ Chí Minh took the bragging rights in the first Ho Chi Minh City derby of the season. Dominant throughout Toshiyo Miura’s side had to wait until the 83’ to break the deadlock. Summer signing Trần Phi Sơn took advantage of some poor defending for his first goal at his new club. Gustavo doubled the lead 4’ later with a clever chip over Tống Đức An. Dugarry scored a consolation for Sài Gòn with the last kick of the match.

Phi Son hit his first goal for HCMC FC

Quảng Ninh dropped their first points of the season after an entertaining 2-2 draw with SLNA.  Mạc Hồng Quân gave the visitors the lead with a well placed volley from the edge of the box after SLNA failed to clear a corner.

Having recently returned from a long spell out, Brazilian striker Osmar equalized just before the break with his first V.League goal in nearly 2 years. Osmar then provided the assist for Olaha to put Nghe An in front. However, the home side couldn’t hold on for the victory as the unmarked Nguyễn Thanh Hiền smashed home an equalizer from a corner.  Joel then had a glorious chance to win it for Quảng Ninh but his effort hit the side netting.

Quang Ninh’s Mac Hong Quan (image: FB:Vietnam football)

Elsewhere, Cần Thơ came from a goal down to beat Bình Dương. The visitors took the lead through Romario Kortzog just before the break. The lead didn’t last long though with Patiyo heading an equalizer 3 minutes into the second half. He grabbed his second of the game and sealed the win on 66’ with his 51st VLeague career goal.

Khánh Hòa & Đà Nẵng played out  a goalless draw in Nha Trang.

Sông Lam Nghệ An 2 – 2 Than Quảng Ninh, Vinh stadium: 8,000

Cần Thơ 2 – 1 Bình Dương. Cần Thơ: 3,000

Quảng Nam 1 – 0 FLC Thanh Hóa. Tam Kỳ: 12,000

Sanna Khánh Hòa BVN 0 – 0 SHB Đà Nẵng. 19/8 stadium: 8,000

Nam Định 0 – 1 Hải Phòng. Thiên Trường: 17,000

Sài Gòn 1 – 2 TP.Hồ Chí Minh. Thống Nhất: 6,000