Dong Tam had failed to pick up a victory in six V-League games and three AFC Champions League matches since their 3-1 win against Khanh Hoa on March 11 but the southern side got back to winning ways thanks to three second-half goals.

Brazilian striker Antonio scored a brace, opening the scoring nine minutes after the break and extending Dong Tam's advantage from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.

Nguyen Hoang Thuong added a third nine minutes from time as Dong Tam bounced back from their heart-breaking 3-2 home defeat to China's Shandong Luneng in the AFC Champions League last Wednesday.

The defending champs moved up to eighth spot with 12 points, six adrift of front-runners Da Nang and Binh Duong.

Da Nang had the opportunity to open up a two-point gap on Binh Duong, who were held to a goalless draw at Binh Dinh on Saturday, but they blew a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Song Lam Nghe An on Sunday.

Almeida put the home side in control with a pair of goals in the 29th and 38th minutes, but Vietnam international striker Le Cong Vinh pulled a goal back five minutes before half-time and netted the equaliser just before the hour.

Nam Dinh moved up to third place after Ngoc Linh struck a stoppage-time winner in their 1-0 win against last-placed Dong Thap, while Thanh Hoa stayed in touch with the leaders with a 2-1 victory against struggling Hoa Phat Ha Noi.

In Sunday's remaining game, Ha Noi ACB picked up their second win of the season with a 2-1 victory against Huda Hue.