Early match series of round 8 of V.League, Hanoi stumbles but SLNA cannot get close

With high spirits after having just taken the top spot from Ho Chi Minh City after the 7th round, the capital team went to Thu Dau Mot to meet Becamex Binh Duong with the goal of winning all 3 points to maintain the No. 1 position on the rankings. However, that goal was not easy.

And 1 point at Go Dau Stadium is not enough to satisfy the defending champion, however, not only did they stumble, another team chasing them on the rankings, SLNA, also could not get 3 points against rookie Viettel.

Hanoi could lose the top spot after round 8 when they were held to a draw by B.Binh Duong at Go Dau Stadium. Photo: VPF

SLNA had a lackluster match at Hang Day Stadium. Photo: VPF

To share the points regrettably, SLNA could not keep up with the top team Hanoi and also let the teams behind narrow the gap in points.

The team that took advantage of SLNA's disadvantageous result, Saigon FC, had a minimal victory over Hai Phong to take over their opponent's position on the rankings and close in on the top 3 when they were only 1 point away from the Nghe An team.

Two other teams also had important victories in the early matches of round 8 of V.League 2019, HAGL and Da Nang against Than Quang Ninh and Nam Dinh to escape the bottom group.

HAGL won an important victory on the day of the new coach's debut. Photo: VPF

The two remaining matches that have not taken place yet are Thanh Hoa - Quang Nam and Khanh Hoa - Ho Chi Minh City taking place today, which could change the top two positions on the rankings. If Ho Chi Minh City wins, they will take back the top spot from Hanoi, while if Thanh Hoa gets 3 points, they will push Quang Nam down to take their place at the bottom of the table.