Dong Nai rekindle hopes to avoid relegation

Dong Nai, currently sitting at bottom of the ladder, rekindled hopes off relegation after overcoming QNK Quang Nam 3-1 on Thursday to score 13 points, as did Hoang Anh Gia Lai who are also endeavoring to escape relegation. 

Hai Anh (number 23) scores an opener in Dong Nai’s 3-1 win on Thursday.

Dong Nai’s manager Tran Binh Su demonstrated his sheer determination for a win when he sent three leading offensive players: Hai Anh, Nsi Amougou C.Jose and Henry to field right from the first whistle.

Hai Anh lived up to expectations achieving the home side an early lead with a sixth-minute penalty converter.

Dong Nai played solidly in the remainder of the first half, leaving no chance for Quang Nam to level the score.

Henry widened the advantage for the host team 12 minutes after the hour mark, sneaking past goalkeeper Van Cuong in a face-off before driving the ball into the net.

Two goals behind, Quang Nam began to lose patience and made a deadly defensive mistake that they paid for four minutes later.

Nsi Amougou drove an unstoppable curler through to the far corner of Quang Nam’s goal, putting an end to the guests’ hopes for resurgence.

With nothing to lose, Quang Nam intensified attacks and managed to score a consolation a few minutes before the final whistle rang.

The precious victory puts Dong Nai in an equal position with Hoang Anh Gia Lai in their anti-relegation battle.

On the same day, Becamex Binh Duong edged out Quang Ninh Coal 1-0 to reclaim the top spot from FLC Thanh Hoa who suffered a huge 1-4 loss to Hanoi T&T.

XSKT Can Tho and Dong Thap recorded 2-1 victories against Hai Phong and Dong Tam Long An, while Song Lam Nghe An surprisingly lost 0-1 to newcomers Sanna Khanh Hoa on home turf.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai failed to escape the relegation zone after succumbing 0-2 to SHB Da Nang on Thursday.