Joel Vinicious scored his first V.League goals as Quảng Ninh beat Quảng Nam and retained their place at the top of the table. The Brazilian rose well to head home his first before latching on to a rare defensive error from Quảng Nam captain Thiago and rounding the keeper with ease. On the hour he could have had the seasons first hattrick but was denied by a fine double save from visiting keeper Phạm Văn Cường. Nguyễn Hải Huy added a third in a comfortable win for Phan Thanh Hùng’s side.

Joel Vinícius (image: fb, Quang Ninh)

Đà Nẵng edged out Sài Gòn in a thrilling 5 goal encounter at the Hòa Xuân stadium. Hà Đức Chinh  opened the scoring with a powerful strike from the edge of the box after fine work by strike partner Diogo. Võ Huy Toàn doubled the seasiders lead, smashing an unstoppable shot beyond Văn Phong into the roof of the net. Saigon were given a lifeline just moments later when Epassi brought down Da Sylva in the box and full back Nguyễn Quốc Long made no mistake from the spot. Epassi then turned hero, heading home his first club goal and restoring the two goal cushion. Lê Hoàng Thiên grabbed his third of the campaign as Sài Gòn again refused to give in, but ultimately they couldn’t find an equalizer.

Da Nang celebrate Hà Đức Chinh’s (26) opener (image: fb Da Nang FC)

After a bright start from Bình Dương , which included Tô Văn Vũ striking the post early on, it was Hà Nội who took the lead when in-form Oseni smashed home from 8 yards after 15 minutes.  Bình Dương came out with far more intent in the second half and were rewarded when Nguyễn Anh Đức capitalised on a hesitant Hà Nội defence to hit  his first of the season. Hanoi pushed for a winner, introducing Quang Hai, but failed to really test home keeper Bùi Tấn Trường.

HAGL picked up their first 3 points with a 3-2 victory over Nam Định. Rimario, a constant threat throughout danced his way past the Nam Định defence to set up Minh Vương  for the opener before Văn Toàn glanced home Xuan Truong’s freekick to double the home sides lead just after the break. Nam Dinh, seeking their first top flight win since 2010, were buoyed on by more fantastic support, eventually pulling one back though Henry Shackiel on 87’. The visitors were once again let down by lackluster defending as Hồng Duy restored the 2 goal lead just 60 seconds later; Rimario beating a non-existent offside trap and teeing up Duy for his 2nd assist of the game. Benjamin opened his V.League account with a consolation goal deep into injury time, but the result means Nam Định remain bottom of the table.

Nam Dinh’s travelling support (image: fb Nam Dinh)

Edward Ofere’s first club goal was enough for Thanh Hóa to take all three points against fellow AFC Cup participants SLNA. Nghe An’s understudy keeper, Phan Đình Vũ Hải, kept his side in the game with two fine first half saves, but could do nothing to prevent Ofere’s powerful header 10 minutes in to the second half.

TP. Hồ Chí Minh saw off Khánh Hòa at Thống Nhất stadium. The only goal of the game came after Đoàn Công Thành clumsily brought down Vũ Quang Nam in the box and Trần Phi Sơn stepped up to convert from the spot.  

Cần Thơ  secured their first ever win at Hải Phòng thanks to a 12th minute winner from  Patiyo. The Congolese striker tapped home beyond second choice keeper Nguyễn Văn Phong for his 3rd goal in his last two outings. The win sees Cần Thơ up to 4th place in the league.

Hồ Chí Minh 1 – 0 Sanna Khánh Hòa BVN. Thống Nhất: 7,000

Hải Phòng 0 – 1 XSKT Cần Thơ.  Lạch Tray: 8,000

Thanh Hóa 1 – 0 Sông Lam Nghệ An. Thanh Hóa stadium: 11,000

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai 3 – 2 Nam Định. Pleiku: 10,000

Bình Dương 1 – 1 Hà Nội. Gò Đậu: 8,000

Đà Nẵng 3 – 2 Sài Gòn. Hòa Xuân: 9,000

Quảng Ninh 3 – 0 Quảng Nam. Cẩm Phả: 5,000