The Toyota V-League 1 2016 season opened last weekend, witnessing guests Hoang Anh Gia Lai thrash rookies Hanoi FC 5-0 at Hang Day Stadium on February 21.

Hanoi fans were not impressed with the 5-0 final score in favour of Pleiku city, after the match saw few developments in the first 70 minutes of play.

A surprise came in the last 20 minutes, when the visiting side suddenly scored five consecutive goals.

Van Thanh put the visitors ahead with his opener in the 73rd minute. Four minutes later, it was Van Thanh again who doubled the scoring from Van Toan’s assist. Tran Vu widened the gap to 3-0 for Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the 83rd minute.

In the 85th minute, Van Toan’s one-touch pass facilitated Hong Duy to defeat goalkeeper Duc An in a one-on-one situation, scoring the fourth goal for Gia Lai, before Van Toan made it 5-0 in the 88th minute allowing Gia Lai to temporarily take the table lead after the first round.

* A surprise was also witnessed at Vinh Stadium on Sunday, as the match ended unexpectedly with the home team Song Lam Nghe An being defeated 0-2 to visitors Hai Phong; both goals were scored by Xuan Hung in just five minutes.

Three minutes into the match, Xuan Hung’s left-footed finish brought in the first goal for Hai Phong. Eighth minutes later, he scored once more from a free kick outside the 16m50 box, when the Song Lam Nghe An goalie in a failed attempt, delivered the ball to Xuan Hung which allowed him to easily net a second goal. Despite losing quite early on, the home team was unable to secure a goal.

* The same day, hosts Quang Ninh Coal only barely managed a goal in their 1-2 loss to Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN at Cam Pha Stadium, while Dong Tam Long An won Quang Nam 1-0.

* On Saturday, Thanh Hoa defeated V-League runner-up Hanoi T&T 3-0, defending Becamex Binh Duong crushed Can Tho 2-0, and Da Nang bested Dong Thap 2-1.