Football

Topenland Bình Định players training. They will visit Viettel on November 4 at Hà Nội's Hàng Đẫy Stadium. Photo courtsey of Topenland Bình ĐỊnh FC

HÀ NỘI — Topenland Bình Định face a huge challenge if they are to remain in the top three of the V.League 1 after this weekend's away clash at defending champions Viettel. 

Bình Định are currently in third, three points clear of Viettel in fourth.

The visitors need at least one point to remain in their position, while a win for the hosts would catapult them into the top three.

Bình Định's coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng won't be on the sidelines to guide his team after receiving a two-match ban and a fine of VNĐ5 million (US$200) from the Việt Nam Football Federation last week.

Thắng reacted aggressively towards match officials after last week's game against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, after the referee awarded a controversial penalty to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in additional time.

The game ended 1-1. Thắng argued his team were robbed of vital points as they push for the title. 

Thắng's red card was an automatic one-match ban, but the VFF decided to double it and fine him and VNĐ5 million on Wednesday. Referee Nhớ will be rested till the end of the tournament.

It will be the second time the former national defender has missed a game this season, having tested positive for COVID-19 at the start of the season. 

Like their coach, skipper Hồ Tấn Tài and midfielder Đỗ Văn Thuận are also suspended, having picked up three yellow cards in previous games.

Despite being a defender, Tài scored at the other end for club and country. Thuận, on the other hand, is a key player in the central area, tracking back to defend or setting up attacks. 

Jamaican striker Jermie Dwayne Lynch is also a doubt as he has still not yet fully recovered from an injury. 

Viettel under coach Bae Ji-won are in good form, racking up six wins on the trot. 

Viettel also have a good record against Bình Định, winning three of their last four meetings. 

Captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết of Hà Nội (centre) playing against Đà Nẵng on October 30. Quyết will lead his team to play against Thanh Hóa on November 4. Photo courtesy of VPF

Elsewhere, Đông A Thanh Hóa will host former champions Hà Nội FC, who are top of the table with 43 points. 

Second-placed Hải Phòng are just two points behind, with a game in hand. 

The visitors have many national stars and are favourites against Thanh Hóa. They have won four out of their last five matches, including a 3-0 over SHB Đà Nẵng on Sunday.

The hosts will have to do without the services of Brazilian Jose Paulo De Oliveira Pinto, who is suspended. The midfielder is the side's top scorer this season with seven goals. 

Thanh Hóa are have been suffering from poor performances recently, having lost three of their five latest games. They were defeated 2-1 by bottom-of-the-league Sài Gòn last week. 

In the last five games with Hà Nội, Thanh Hóa lost four.

In a battle at the bottom of the table, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai will entertain Nam Định and hope to find their first win in ten games.   

Since their last win, they have scored eight goals and won five points.

The former champion's poor performances dropped them to eighth, with 24 points from 20 matches. They are only five points clear of bottom-placed Sài Gòn who played one game less than them.

Nam Định are struggling to avoid relegation too. They have won only one match in their last five and are just one point clear of Sài Gòn. 

Both teams need a win to create some breathing space between them and the drop. Arguably the two sides' most important game this season will be live on VTV Cần Thơ, Next Sports, On Sports channel. VNS