Much of Hải Phòng's success this season is down to Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm. Photo vietnamnet.vn

Football

HÀ NỘI — The battle of the top of the V.League 1 table is hotting up with just three points separating the top six teams.

The national premier league is only one-third of the way to the finish line and Hải Phòng are leading the rankings, to the surprise of many. It is still too early to pen anyone in as head-and-shoulders above the rest, but it is clear that the success of the northern port city team is thanks to the tactics of coach Chu Đình Nghiêm, who himself is a former coach of Hà Nội FC.

The presence of coach Nghiêm has created a spectacular change in Hải Phòng. From a team that played defensively and relied on counter-attacks, they become a club with transformative, effective and all-encompassing attacks.

Players that followed Nghiêm from the capital to the port, like Rimario Allando Gordon and Moses Oloya, have slotted seamlessly into their new side. 

Oloya is one of the best midfielders in the league this year, while Gordon is leading the charge for the golden boat with eight goals, three ahead of his nearest rival. 

Today, Hải Phòng will take on Sông Lam Nghệ An at Vinh Stadium. A win may keep them at the top of the table, although Há Nôi FC are level on points and have a game in hand. Hà Nội FC will play sixth-placed Hà Tĩnh, who are in good form and themselves only three points off the top.

Third-placed HAGL will meet Thanh Hóa at Pleiku Stadium tomorrow.

However, the home side will be without key player Vũ Văn Thanh, who is suspended after receiving three yellow cards since the start of the tournament.

While the right winger has not maintained his form from previous seasons, he is still coach Kiatisuk's first choice. 

In addition, HAGL will also be without the services of Nguyễn Công Phượng, who was injured against Đà Nẵng and has been out ever since. 

Hà Nội FC will be guests against Hà Tĩnh who are in good form. VNS