The national football championships, V-League Eximbank 2014, resumed last weekend, witnessing Thanh Hoa beat Becamex Binh Duong 2-1 to maintain their domination atop the provisional standings.

Thanh Hoa entered the game with great determination, aiming for a home-soil victory to safeguard their position topping the V-League table.

The host team was dealt a blow just eight minutes into the match. Taking an accurate cross from Abass, Anh Duc beat goalie Vinh Loi to put Binh Duong in the lead, 1-0.

The visitors’ advantage did not last long as Xuan Tu managed to equalise the score for Thanh Hoa eight minutes later with a cunning header to the left bottom corner of the goal.

On many occasions during the first-half remainder the host team came close to taking the lead but Van Tan, Duy Nam and Xuan Tu missed these opportunities.

After the break, Thanh Hoa took just three minutes to go ahead. The ball touched Tien Thanh’s hands in the penalty area, earning Thanh Hoa a penalty kick which was then converted successfully by Nastja Ceh.

Binh Duong battled in the remaining minutes for an equaliser; however, their efforts were blocked in turn by Thanh Hoa’s solid defence.

The convincing 1-2 victory brought Thanh Hoa three more points and kept them atop the provisional standings with ten points. Meanwhile, Becamex Binh Duong failed to improve their ranking, remaining in the second last position at the bottom with just one point.

More hosts were triumphant in other Sunday matches, with Quang Ninh Coal beating Dong Tam Long An 2-0; Hoang Anh Gia Lai trouncing Song Lam Nghe An 3-1 and Vicem Hai Phong finishing off Hung Vuong An Giang 2-0.

The fourth round’s only draw was recorded in the clash between XM The Vissai Ninh Binh and SHB Da Nang (1-1).

(Source: Nhan Dan Online)