Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) snapped a three-match losing streak to beat Saigon 3-2 as they moved up to seventh in the Nuti Cafe V-League One.
In the match that was played at home at the Pleiku Stadium, the home team was anxious for a win although it would be the visitors who grabbed the lead when midfielder Le Quoc Phuong struck the opener after just three minutes in.
But HAGL were motivated and with national striker Nguyen Cong Phuong on their side, it took them just seven minutes for the latter to ground in a penalty.
With four minutes remaining of the half, Tran Minh Vuong gave HAGL the lead for the first time in the game with a well headed goal.
Saigon upped the tempo after the break, but it was HAGL who once again made the score sheet with Van Toan rifled in a freekick in the 67th minute.
Five minutes to the end, Saigon grabbed their second goal through Da Sylva but it failed to ignite a late revival as the 3-2 score stayed to the end.
Elsewhere, FLC Thanh Hoa beat Becamex Bình Duong 3-1, as Quang Nam FC battled Hai Phong to a 1-1 draw and Thanh Quang Ninh falling to a 2-1 loss to Sanna Khanh Hoa at home.
Nuti Café V- LEAGUE ONE 2018 Current Standings
| No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Hanoi | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 15 | +28 | 38 |
| 2 | Than Quang Ninh | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 16 | +4 | 25 |
| 3 | Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN | 15 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 24 |
| 4 | Hai Phong | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 12 | +4 | 23 |
| 5 | FLC Thanh Hoa | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 20 | 19 | +1 | 22 |
| 6 | Quang Nam | 15 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 18 | +1 | 21 |
| 7 | Hoang Anh Gia Lai | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 20 |
| 8 | Becamex Bình Duong | 15 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 21 | 20 | +1 | 19 |
| 9 | SHB Da Nang | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 24 | -4 | 19 |
| 10 | Song Lam Nghe An | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 19 | -3 | 17 |
| 11 | XSKT Can Tho | 15 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 18 | -4 | 16 |
| 12 | Sai Gon | 15 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 20 | 25 | -5 | 13 |
| 13 | Nam Dinh | 15 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 26 | -10 | 13 |
| 14 | TP. Ho Chi Minh | 15 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 21 | -10 | 13 |
