V.League Round 13 Preview: Hanoi FC to wrap up first leg unbeaten?

ABO/NDO – The clash between Hanoi FC and Quang Ninh Coal promises to be the most intriguing of the seven V.League matches on June 12-13. A home victory against Quang Ninh will lead manager Chu Dinh Nghiem’s side to be crowned the undefeated winners of the first leg of the 2018 V.League.

A victory over Nam Dinh FC will be a boost to Saigon’s chances of breaking out of the relegation zone.

Hanoi FC have been in the best form of their history since Nghiem took over the hot seat at Hang Day stadium. The capital team have now gone 12 league matches unbeaten, securing ten wins and two draws and sitting firmly on top of the table with an amazing eight-point lead over second-placed Quang Ninh Coal. Possessing a destructive attacking line, led by current top scorer Nigerian forward Oseni and other talented domestic forwards Van Quyet, Quang Hai and Thanh Luong, Hanoi FC are now confident in taking the full three points against Quang Ninh, and finishing the first leg invincible.

On the opposite side, manager Phan Thanh Hung has also affirmed his capabilities, leading Quang Ninh Coal to seven wins, three draws, and only two losses in their first 12 matches. Inspired by an impressive run this season, Hung’s side can definitely dream of a positive result, even a triumph, during their trip to Hang Day stadium tomorrow.

After a humiliating 0-3 loss at Quang Ninh Coal in the previous round, Hoang Anh Gia Lai have dropped to sixth position, just one-point above reigning champions Quang Nam FC, who will travel to Gia Lai’s Pleiku stadium on Wednesday. Despite facing multiple difficulties in the attack, it is quite likely for manager Hoang Van Phuc’s side to secure away points against the unstable Hoang Anh Gia Lai, as they possess a lineup of experienced domestic players.

The clash between newly promoted Nam Dinh FC and Saigon FC will be another closely watched game. Saigon are currently third from bottom, just four points clear of bottom-placed Nam Dinh, and two points behind the team above, Ho Chi Minh City. A victory over the V.League newbies will be a boost to Saigon’s chances of breaking out of the relegation zone, following their much needed 2-1 win against Song Lam Nghe An a few days ago. Ahead of the match at Thien Truong stadium, the psychological advantage is with the visitors, as manager Nguyen Van Sy’s side is under increasing pressure as a result of their heavy 2-4 defeat to SHB Da Nang.

On the home pitch of Can Tho stadium, XSKT Can Tho will play host to “dark horses” Sanna Khanh Hoa BVN. The clash promises to bring a lot of thrills for fans, as both teams are considered the phenomena of the 2018 V.League, boasting exceptional form beyond expectations.

Song Lam Nghe An, who used to be a V.League giant, are delivering a poorest display so far in the club’s history. Since their first-round win against HCM City, manager Nguyen Duc Thang’s side is still yet to enjoy the taste of a win one more time. Most recently, they caused huge disappointment by losing 1-2 Saigon FC in a relegation six-pointer. Tomorrow, Song Lam Nghe An will return to Vinh stadium to host third-placed Hai Phong. This promises to be a crunch encounter for the home side, as the guests are flying high in the table, securing 19 points after six wins and one draws, most recently a sweet 2-0 victory against reigning V.League runners-up FLC Thanh Hoa.

(Source: NDO)