Saigon FC defeated Hai Phong FC in an away match in the eight round of the 2020 V-League 1 on Sunday to top the table and prolong their unbeaten run.

Before the game, the Ho Chi Minh City-based club were in the second place of the standings without a defeated game, while the team hailing from the northern city of Hai Phong were tenth-placed after seven rounds.

The hosts took more control in the beginning at Lach Tray Stadium in Hai Phong and consecutively put pressure on the goal of the away side.

But the defense line of Saigon FC played consistently and neutralized all the attacks by the home team.

The most notable chance for the hosts was in the 27th minute when Joseph Mpande was awarded a penalty. But the Ugandan striker failed to convert it.

As Hai Phong FC kept attacking to no avail, they had to ship an opening goal from the visitors, which was scored by Brazillian striker Pedro Paulo in the 33rd minute.

The home side continued their attacking tactic in the second half but could not find a goal.

Attacking midfielder Geovane Magno, another Brazillian in Saigon FC's squad, doubled the difference from a direct free-kick over the wall of four Hai Phong FC players in the 96th minute.

The 2-0 win brought Saigon FC to the top of the table while Hai Phong FC remained in the tenth position.

Saigon FC have been unbeatable since the beginning of the season.

The winners of the 2020 season will qualify for the AFC Champions League group stage while the 14th-placed club, currently Nam Dinh FC, will be relegated to the second-tier V-League 2.

The V-League 1 was postponed on March 15 after its first two rounds had been played behind closed doors on account of COVID-19.

It was resumed on June 5, with supporters allowed to enter stadiums to cheer for their clubs after Vietnam has kept the coronavirus at bay.

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