It was as close as it could ever got in years as Hanoi T&T clinched their third Toyota V.League 2016 crown this week with the smallest of margins – by just two sheer goals.
The city side easily beat FLC Thanh Hoa in their final V-League match 2-0 at home at the Hang Day Stadium to win the title after coming in as runners-up for the last two seasons (2014 and 2015).
Hanoi had previously won the V-League top flight in 2010 and 2013.
Hai Phong had to be content with the runners-up spot despite beating Song Lam Nghe An 3-2 at home at the Com Pha Stadium.
Hai Phong’s goals were scored by Le Van Thang in the 55th minute, Errol Anthony Stevens (59th) and Andre Diego Fagan (75th).
SHB Da Nang finished third as defending champions Becamex Binh Duong finished tenth.
TOYOTA V- LEAGUE 2016 Current Standings
No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
1 | Hanoi T&T | 26 | 16 | 2 | 8 | 45 | 28 | +17 | 50 |
2 | Hai Phong | 26 | 15 | 5 | 6 | 47 | 32 | +15 | 50 |
3 | SHB Da Nang | 26 | 15 | 4 | 7 | 49 | 33 | +16 | 49 |
4 | Than Quang Ninh | 26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 39 | 32 | +7 | 44 |
5 | QNK Quang Nam | 26 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 44 | 32 | +12 | 42 |
6 | FLC Thanh Hoa | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 51 | 42 | +9 | 42 |
7 | Saigon | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 34 | 32 | +2 | 36 |
8 | Sanna Khanh Hoa | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 34 | 30 | +4 | 36 |
9 | Song Lam Nghe An | 26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 34 | 36 | -2 | 34] |
10 | Becamex Bình Duong | 26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 39 | 37 | +2 | 34 |
11 | XSKT Can Tho | 26 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 37 | 36 | +1 | 34 |
12 | Hoang Anh Gia Lai | 26 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 39 | 50 | -11 | 30 |
13 | Long An | 26 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 34 | 62 | -28 | 19 |
14 | Dong Thap (WITHDREW) | 26 | 1 | 5 | 20 | 22 | 67 | -45 | 8 |