VietNamNet Bridge – Becamex Binh Duong earn authority in race to title, Cong Vinh denies Hanoi T&T historic victory, are two of the five highlights of the 2014 V-League 21st round that concluded last weekend.

1. Becamex Binh Duong demonstrate authority in race to title

Becamex Binh Duong seize authority in the race to the 2014 title for the first time. (Credit: bongdaplus.vn)

A 3-0 victory against bottom-placed Hung Vuong An Giang on Sunday pushed Becamex Binh Duong to top spot of the V-League standings, one point above runners-up, Hanoi T&T. Two-time champions Binh Duong are possessing the authority and absolute advantage in the race to this year’s overall crown, as they only have to take on underdogs QNK Quang Nam, Dong Tam Long An and SHB Da Nang in the remaining three rounds of the 2014 season.

2. Cong Vinh denies Hanoi T&T historic victory

Le Cong Vinh

Defending champions Hanoi T&T could not win their first victory in V-League history against Song Lam Nghe An, as former T&T player Le Cong Vinh scored a late equaliser to save Nghe An a precious point and deprive the T&T team of their top position. The 1-1 draw with Nghe An also lost Hanoi T&T their authority to direct competitors Becamex Binh Duong.

3. Hung Vuong An Giang hardly escape play-off match

A 0-3 defeat to Binh Duong dug Hung Vuong An Giang deeper into the bottom of the V-League table as they were five points inferior to the next closest team to bottom, Dong Tam Long An, who surprised with a 2-0 win over Thanh Hoa. With just three games left to play, it is really difficult for the An Giang team to create breakthroughs and they are coming very close to the play-off match against the First Division third-place finisher for the 2015 V-League slot.

4. Samson accelerates in ‘top scorer’ title race

Although Hanoi T&T have lost their advantages in the hunt for the overall crown, their striker Hoang Vu Samson is impressively speeding up in the ‘top scorer’ title race. Samson scored once last weekend to lead the scoring tally with a total of 19 goals, one more than Anjembe Timothy of Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

5. Host teams perform outstandingly

Four of six host teams finished victorious in the 21st round of play, including SHB Da Nang, Dong Tam Long An, Becamex Binh Duong and Quang Ninh Coal. The round’s only home loss was recorded at Pleiku Stadium, as Hoang Anh Gia Lai conceded a shocking 1-2 defeat to newbies QNK Quang Nam. The remaining hosts, Song Lam Nghe An tied 1-1 with Hanoi T&T at Vinh Stadium.

Source: Nhan Dan