V.League: HCM City surrender top spot following Becamex Binh Duong defeat

Hedipo Gustavo emerged as the hero of the away side with a first-half brace that saw the 2015 champions move up to third place in the table level with HCM City on 14 points.

The French forward put Binh Duong ahead only six minutes into the match by successfully converting a penalty granted after Frenchman Youssouf Toure was brought down in the HCM City area.

The early advantage allowed the visitors to comfortably deploy their counterattacking style and rely on striker Nguyen Tien Linh’s ability to seize opportunities. In the 25th minute, the 22-year-old player almost got on the scoresheet as he jumped high to meet Ho Tan Tai’s pass but saw his header blocked by goalkeeper Thanh Thang.

Hedipo Gustavo celebrates with teammates after scoring for Becamex Binh Duong.

Becamex Binh Duong doubled their advantage just seconds before halftime, with Gustavo taking a through ball from Trong Huy and lofting a shot over goalie Thanh Thang in a one-on-one to find the back of the net.

HCM City were denied a goal in the 54th minute as Sam Ngoc Duc’s low drive from 30 metres unexpectedly hit the post.

The hosts eventually managed to reduce the gap with Ngoc Duc feeding Cong Phuong to shoot past Binh Duong keeper Duc Cuong 23 minutes later.

Inspired by the goal, Cong Phuong produced some additional scoring attempts with time running out, but none of them were successfully converted into an equaliser for HCM City.

The 1-2 home loss forced Chung Hae-seong’s side to surrender top spot to Saigon FC, while Becamex Binh Duong, thanks to the full three points, climbed to third place, standing behind HCM City only on goal difference.

Nam Dinh FC (in yellow) have conceded their fourth defeat in the last five league matches.

On the same day, a stoppage-time goal by Giang Tran Quach Tan gifted Quang Ninh Coal a dramatic 3-2 away victory over Nam Dinh FC.

Forward Ha Duc Chinh (C) scores a brace in SHB Da Nang's 3-0 victory against Thanh Hoa FC.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai earned a hard-fought 1-0 win against newbies Hong Linh Ha Tinh thanks to a solitary goal by Chevaughn Walsh, while SHB Da Nang put an end to Thanh Hoa FC’s three-game winning streak with a resounding 3-0 triumph.