Nhan Dan Online - Binh Duong battle Hoang Anh Gia Lai at home and Da Nang host defending champions Dong Lam Long An will be the most intriguing fixtures of the seventh week of the national football championship/V-League. The four teams all host title aspiration this year.

Saturday, April 14

PVFC Song Lam Nghe An vs Halida Thanh Hoa

The absence of striker Le Cong Vinh (9) may prove to be a decisive blow for hosts PVFC Song Lam Nghe An (Photo: VTC).

It will be the first meeting of the two local rivals in the Vietnamese top flight for 14 years.

While PVFC Song Lam Nghe An are a familiar fixture in the V-League, it is the first season for Halida Thanh Hoa in Vietnam’s top tournament.

PVFC Song Lam Nghe An have proved to be weak at home, having lost two out of three home games, so far. They lost 3-2 to Huda Hue and 3-1 to Binh Duong. Hosting Halida Thanh Hoa, the hosts are seeking their second home victory before their difficult trip south where they play Da Nang, Dong Tam Long An and Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

However, the hosts will face many difficulties as they are missing top striker Le Cong Vinh due to suspension.

Halida Thanh Hoa may be demoralised, having been ruled to have lost 3-0 to Da Nang after an incident in their home match against Da Nang in the sixth week of the league.

Additionally, the absence of centreback Kitizo may prove to be decisive blow for the Halida Thanh Hoa, who relied on well-organised defence to have been unbeaten until they were ruled to have lost to Da Nang.

PVFC Song Lam Nghe An have stronger squad but Halida Thanh Hoa still have an opportunity to earn a point.

Verdict: 1-1

Huda Hue vs Phu My Nam Dinh

Phu  My Nam Dinh (yellow) are tipped to win the match with struggling Huda Hue (Photo: VTC).

Huda Hue, since a shock 3-2 victory in Vinh in the third week, have earned only a point out of possible nine. They dropped to from seventh spot to 11^th and but remain safe from the danger zone thanks to a good goal difference.

Manager Doan Phung and his players are struggling to avoid any further slips. However, it will prove unlikely for them when hosting fifth place Phu My Nam Dinh.

The visitors are in a good mood after a 4-1 victory over Southern Steel Saigon Port at home. This was their first home victory and their second of the season, after their 1-0 victory over Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Pleiku on the second match day.

Huda Hue will be missing goalkeeper Munze Ulrich, who has been banned for two matches due to poor discipline when reacting against a refereeing decision, and skipper Thanh Tuan for the same reason.

Phu My Nam Dinh, meanwhile, have no injury and suspension worries. With a stronger squad, Phu My Nam Dinh are tipped to gain their third league win.

Verdict: 0-2

Khatoco Khanh Hoa vs PISICO Binh Dinh

Sorayoot is expected to help PISICO Binh Dinh to gain a point in Nha Trang. (Photo VTC).

Khatoco Khanh Hoa will host PISICO Binh Dinh in the central region’s derby. Khatoco Khanh Hoa are third with a total of 11 points while PISICO Binh Dinh are three places and three points behind.

Khatoco Khanh Hoa have proved to be the dark horses of the V-League. Since a 3-1 defeat in Long An, they have been unbeaten for four games, three of which ended with victories. Recently, Khatoco Khanh Hoa upset Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Pleiku in the fifth week with a 3-0 victory.

The hosts are in a good form and they are targeting their first victory over PISICO Binh Dinh. Last year, Khatoco Khanh Hoa earned a point from two games with their visitors. They lost 1-0 and drew 3-3.  

PISICO Binh Dinh are tough opponents for all teams in the league. Playing a counterattacking football, PISICO Binh Dinh are dangerous when on the road. They beat ACB.HN 2-0 and drew with Hoa Phat Hanoi during their travel to Hanoi.

The match could end in an entertaining draw.

Verdict: 1-1

Binh Duong vs Hoang Anh Gia Lai

Hoang Anh Gia Lai (white) lost 2-1 to Binh Duong last year, which cost them a title. (Photo: VTC).

Binh Duong host Hoang Anh Gia Lai in a crunch match between the second and third place teams. Binh Duong are second with a total of 13 points while Hoang Anh Gia Lai are one place and one point behind.

Binh Duong, who left their 3-1 defeat in Da Nang behind, fought back to beat PVFC Song Lam Nghe An with the same score to return to top spot just until Da Nang were ruled to have won 3-0 in Thanh Hoa.

The hosts are considered top favourites to win the league title this year. However, their home form is indifferent. They experienced scary moments in their clashes with ACB.HN and Dong Tam Long An. They won 3-2 over Dong Tam Long An when the champions were reduced to nine men and beat ACB.HN 1-0 when the visitors squandered their opportunities.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai are good on the road with three victories over PISICO Binh Dinh, Huda Hue and Dong Thap. However, the twice champions have yet to solve their problems in the forward line with African strikers Yaw Preko and Douhou still seeking their first league goal.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai rely on Thai players Dusit Chalemsem and Datsakorn Thonglao, if the two players play to their best strengths, Hoang Anh Gia Lai will win.

In terms of injuries and suspensions, Binh Duong will have no services from goalkeeper The Anh, who was stretched off after a head injury in their victory in Vinh. However, they will welcome back skipper Tran Truong Giang after suspension, alongside Philani and Amaobi after recovering injuries.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai have no injury worries and they will line up their strongest side for the clash. Their target is gain at least a point, just like in the corresponding fixture, when they held Binh Duong a 0-0 draw.

Verdict: 1-0

Southern Steel Saigon Port vs ACB.HN

An important clash between two strugglers. The visitors after a 1-0 victory over Phu My Nam Dinh in the fifth week produced an under-par performance when hosting defending champions Dong Tam Long An.       

Southern Steel Saigon Port have new manager, Vo Hoang Buu, who was a Vietnamese football star in the early 1990s.

With a new coaching board, Southern Steel Saigon Port are hoping to take revenge on ACB.HN, who did the double over them last season. Southern Steel Saigon Port have beaten another club from Hanoi, Hoa Phat Hanoi, in their first league victory. Therefore, they are tipped to take three points.

Verdict: 1-0

Sunday, April 15

Hoa Phat Hanoi vs Dong Thap

In another clash between struggling teams, Hoa Phat Hanoi play Dong Thap. Hoa Phat Hanoi have not won since their first victory over ACB.HN in the first week.      

Manager Vuong Tien Dung is under fire for the team’s disappointing results, earning just three points out of a possible 15.

Hosting bottom team Dong Thap, Hoa Phat Hanoi have an opportunity to gain their second league victory. However, it could be a tough job.

Dong Thap, who have yet to win a league game, so far, have no option but a victory to escape their current position. They played well against Dong Tam Long An and PVCF Song Lam Nghe An but lost.

Dong Thap will rely on their young stars Phong Hoa, Viet Cuong and Thanh Binh to earn their first league maximum.

Verdict: 1-1

Da Nang vs Dong Tam Long An

Da Nang have surprised many people, occupying the top spot after the sixth week as they were not considered as favourites for the league title.

However, Da Nang keep surprising commentators as emphasised by a 3-1 victory over Binh Duong. They recently maintain on top after a 3-0 victory over Halida Thanh Hoa. The hosts are not as strong as they were last year, when they trounced Dong Tam Long An to a 4-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture.

They are favourite to win the match as Dong Tam Long An, who went down 4-0 to Shandong Luneng in the AFC Champions League in the mid week my te steeil fatigued. Exhausted Dong Tam Long An will have to rely on Tshamala Kabanga to earn a point. However, it remains a remote possibility for them.

Verdict: 2-1

Ngoc Tuan