Nhan Dan Online - Huda Hue and Dong Thap have lost their ground in a race to survive at the national football championship/V-League, suffering heavy defeat in week 21. However, the two sides are hoping for a play-off position. Therefore, their matches against ACB.HN and Phu My Nam Dinh, respectively, may be diciders.

Hoa Phat Hanoi vs. Halida Thanh Hoa (1-2)

Hoa Phat Hanoi are unbeaten under their new manager Tran Binh Su, having won five points out of a possible nine. They are in a play-off position and two points clear of the relegation. This means that Hoa Phat Hanoi, who set a target of finishing the season in the top five, have yet to be safe.

Halida Thanh Hoa have made a good impression in their first season in the V-League. With a total of 31 points, Halida Thanh Hoa have almost secured a position in next season’s league.

Manager Tran Van Phuc’s team have so far beaten two of the four giants Dong Tam Long An and Hoang Anh Gia Lai with the same score of 2-0. They only lost on the turf of two other Binh Duong and Da Nang.

However, Halida Thanh Hoa are far-from-certain winners. They beat Dong Tam Long An but lost to struggling ACB.HN in the following game. Last week, they beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai but nobody is sure they will win in Hanoi.

Verdict: 2-1  

Phu My Nam Dinh vs. Dong Thap (1-0)

Dong Thap were expected to gain the first win under their new manager Doan Minh Xuong in week 21 but when the match ended, Dong Thap collapsed with a 4-0 defeat to PISICO Binh Dinh.

The defeat dented Dong Thap’s hope, but more importantly, it demoralised the team, who still have five more games to struggle.

Phu My Nam Dinh, despite being five points clear of the danger zone, they still have a motivation to win the match.

Before the season’s kick-off, sponsor Phu My and the club signed a contract, under which, bonus and next season sponsorship amount will depend on the club’s result in the 2007 V-League.

Therefore, manger Nguyen Ngoc Hao’s team will start their game with great determination to achieve their target.

It will be tough for the visitors to leave with a point.

Verdict: 2-1  

PVFC Song Lam Nghe An vs. Da Nang (2-2)

Da Nang were criticised after they shared spoils with PVFC Song Lam Nghe An as many people thought Da Nang, especially their goalie Tran Duc Cuong and defenders, did not give their best to the game.

The visitors are safe and in a nothing-to-play-for status but their hosts have not secured their position in the league yet.

Therefore, PVFC Song Lam Nghe An are tipped to earn points.

Also, it was a good news for the hosts when their coach and player Nguyen Huy Hoang returned after recovering an injury he got when playing for the national team at the AFC Asian Cup 2007.

Huy Hoang is expected to inspire his teammates, who are low in morale after a 4-2 home defeat to Dong Tam Long An in week 21.

Verdict: 2-1

Huda Hue vs. ACB.HN (1-2)

Bottom-placed Huda Hue are considered to be returning to Division 1 after a year in Vietnamese football’s top flight.

Their manager Doan Phung said if Huda Hue drop, it would take them long time to return to V-League. Thus, Huda Hue will fight until last minute.

Fortunately, Huda Hue host ACB.HN, who are not strong enough and still struggling to escape the relegation zone.

A victory will help Huda Hue continue to hope but make ACB.HN’s task more difficult. Their problem is in the defence. Huda Hue have had to pay the price for their defence’s mistakes. Mr Phung’s task is to make their defence solid to earn a good result.

Otherwise, Huda Hue will finish their league adventure with a position in Division 1.

Verdict: 1-0  

Khatoco Khanh Hoa vs. Southern Steel Saigon Port (1-3)

Khatoco Khanh Hoa ended their poor run of four defeats with a 4-0 victory over Phu My Nam Dinh.

The victory helps Khatoco Khanh Hoa move further away from the relegation zone but they are just a point clear from the play-off position.

They are three points behind Southern Steel Saigon Port, so a victory will help Khatoco Khanh Hoa to catch up with their opponents.

Southern Steel Saigon Port had an important 4-1 victory over Huda Hue, which helped them extend their gap with the relegation zone to eight points.

It was the seventh victory for Southern Steel Saigon Port, who are seeking their first victory on the road. In ten games away from Ho Chi Minh City, Southern Steel Saigon Port lost seven and drew three.

Therefore, it would be difficult for manager Lu Dinh Tuan’s team to earn points in Nha Trang.

Verdict: 2-0  

Binh Duong vs. PISICO Binh Dinh (0-0)

With Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Dong Tam Long An sharing the spoils, after a 2-2 draw in Pleiku, Binh Duong have a good opportunity to win the league four games ahead, should the beat PISICO Binh Dinh.

Binh Duong failed to extend their gap with Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who lost 2-0 to Halida Thanh Hoa, in week 21 as they were denied by hosts Hoa Phat Hanoi. Trung Vinh put Binh Duong in front but the visitors’ efforts were cancelled out by late equaliser by Nguyen Tien Dung.

Therefore, manager Le Thuy Hai was cautious before Binh Duong’s clash with PISICO Binh Dinh.

Binh Duong are very strong and targeting new records the V-League. If they beat PISICO Binh Dinh, Binh Duong will level Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s previous record of 14 winning games and they will be the record with another victory in their four remaining games.

If they are unbeaten in their five remaining games, Binh Duong set another new record of having fewest defeats. So far, Binh Duong have lost only to Da Nang and Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

PISICO Binh Dinh have been known as dark horses of the V-League for years. They are tough opponents for even Binh Duong, who earned a point in Quy Nhon.

Before the match, manager said that determination was the key to their successes in recent years. Travelling to Binh Duong, PISICO Binh Dinh will show the determination.

However, Mr Hung’s team may make Binh Duong wait but could not prevent the leaders from winning the title.

Verdict: 2-1

TUAN MINH