Hai Phong Cement took the V-League’s second place after beating former champions Becamex Binh Duong 2-1 at Lach Tray Stadium yesterday, August 22.

Hai Phong Cement took the V-League’s second place after beating former champions Becamex Binh Duong 2-1 at Lach Tray Stadium yesterday.

On the same day, Hanoi T&T players celebrated their tournament triumph despite a humiliating 1-4 loss to Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Pleiku city.

The Hanoian victory has put an end to the title drought for northern football teams, who last won the trophy in 1998 when The Cong topped the league.

Hanoi T&T already had the V-League title in the bag during the previous round of play, but had to wait until yesterday to get their hands on the trophy.

The champ’s defeat to Hoang Anh Gia Lai failed to dampen celebrations.

Hai Phong, after their 14th win, ended the season with 45 points, only one less than champions Hanoi T&T.

It was a great effort for a team that has received numerous bans and fines from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), including fan violence at stadiums across the country.

Runners up Hai Phong also received the good news that head coach Vuong Tien Dung has agreed to extend his contract, quashing rumours that he wanted to leave the team. It is the second time Dung has won a medal with Hai Phong, following the team’s bronze in 2008.

This year Dong Thap, who defeated Thanh Hoa 2-1 yesterday on home turf, came third with 44 points. Their success was unexpected as the team has struggle to reach the top area of the league during the past several years.

However, the team’s players gave a solid performance throughout the recent season.

In other matches, Hoa Phat Hanoi drew Khatoco Khanh Hoa 1-1 and Ninh Binh tied Song Lam Nghe An 0-0.

Two-time champion Dong Tam Long An won 2-1 over Navibank Sai Gon. Relegated Nam Dinh saw their 20th defeat of the season yesterday when Da Nang beat them on home ground. Da Nang, who failed to defend their title, met no difficulties in overcoming the tired host team 2-0.

Nam Dinh will join 12 other teams competing in the lower division next season. Hanoi ACB, the champions in the First Division, will replace them at the V-League.

They return to the nation’s premier league after a year of absence. Fans will see two teams from the capital city competing next season.

Navibank Sai Gon and Thanh Hoa have to wait until the end of this month to find out if they will be relegated when it’s decided who will fight for a V-League place after a playoff match against the First Division’s second-placed Quang Ninh Coal.