Vinh finds pace in V-League

HA NOI — Top striker Le Cong Vinh scored a goal to seal a 2-0 win for Ha Noi T&T in their fourth game in the national V-League against Megastar Nam Dinh yesterday.

The goal was his first goal in the national championship since he completed a four-month loan contract with Portugal's Leixoes in December.

Vinh got off an offside trap to score his most awaited goal in the 51st minute at Ha Noi's Hang Day Stadium.

The 25-year-old has been a goal hunter and is on the list of scorers, which has been dominated by foreign players since 2004. In the 18th minute of the first half time, Cao Sy Cuong netted the ball to open the score for Ha Noi's team.

The win helped Ha Noi-based T&T gain nine points. The team now shares the lead with defending champions SHB Da Nang.

At Chi Lang Stadium, Argentinean Gaston Merlo scored twice and Mendez added one to give the host, Da Nang, a convincing win over two-time champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

Two-time champions Binh Duong, who topped the V-League last Sunday, were stunned by Dong Tam Long An 1-0 on their home turf yesterday.

Ghana's Jonathan Quartey scored in the last two minutes of the game to pull back a 2-1 win for host Khanh Hoa in the battle with Dong Thap.

Dong Thap found the net in the 66th minute, but Jonathan stole their clear win in the last moment.

In other matches yesterday: Lam Son Thanh Hoa were stunned by Song Lam Nghe An 2-1; Vissai Ninh Binh drew with Hai Phong Cement 2-2 and Navibank Sai Gon were held to a 1-1 draw by Hoa Phat Ha Noi.

Lam Son Thanh Hoa and Megastar Nam Dinh still stand at the bottom. — VNS