Hà Nội FC beat Sài Gòn to go second

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội FC defeated Sài Gòn FC  三- 一 on Wednesday to move up to second in the league.

The capital's team played in a determined fashion, especially midfielder Phạm Đức Huy who played his  一00th match in the Hà Nội jersey.

The opening goal firmed up the home team's dominance in the seventh minute. Taking advantage of a mistake by the Sài Gòn defence, striker Vladimir Siladji defeated goalie Hoài Anh to write his name on the scoreboard.

Sài Gòn bounced back strongly. Hanoian Nguyễn Thanh Chung fouled Vũ Minh Tuấn in the penalty area, and the referee gave a penalty from which Trần Mạnh Cường levelled the score for the southerners.

However, the home team did not have to wait long to regain the lead. Eight minutes later, striker Nguyễn Văn Quyết showed great skill in the penalty area. Goalkeeper Hoài Anh rushed out to block the ball, causing it to bounce back to Xuân Tú, who quickly finished to make it  二- 一 to Hà Nội.

After the break, Hà Nội continued to dominate. In the  七 九th minute, the ball was put in the away team's net, but the referee ruled out the goal for an earlier offside.

Four minutes later, Phạm Tuấn Hải, a second-half substitute, headed home from a free kick to fix the score at  三- 一 in favour.

Hà Nội now have  一 四 points after eight games. They are equal on points with Hải Phòng but take second place on goal difference.

In other news Wednesday, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai beat Bình Dương  二- 一 at Pleiku Stadium, while HCM City lost  二- 一 to Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh. — VNS