Football

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai players train in Hà Nội on April 4. They will play Viettel on April 6 at Hàng Đẫy Stadium. VNS Photo Minh Dân

HÀ NỘI — Coach Kiatisak Senamuang of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai is confident that the team will win over former champion Viettel in their meeting on April 6 when the V.League 1 comes back after weeks off.

The match is predicted to be tough for the Central Highlands team, who will play without top goalkeeper Huỳnh Tuấn Linh and will face a tough rival on away ground. But Senamuang did not show any worry.

"It will be a difficult match when we return to competition after resting for weeks. But I have tried my best to coach my players, helping them be better and stronger," said Senamuang.

"Viettel enjoyed a 6-0 win in their latest match. They are at their peak. They are really a big challenge to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. I will choose the best and ready players for the game. We will take a point from Viettel. It is hot here but I do not feel there is a big difference in weather between Hà Nội and Pleiku. My players will adjust well because we have been here for several days and now can't wait to play," said Senamuang.

During their practices, Linh was not seen but it was believed that he will play on April 6.

Speaking to reporters, captain Nguyễn Tuấn Anh said during the rest time, his team worked hard with a view to improve everything.

"We also reviewed our first four matches, in which we did not have good results. We also tried to improve our scoring skills," he said.

After key players such as Nguyễn Công Phượng, Nguyễn Văn Toàn and Vũ Văn Thanh left the team prior to the tournament when their contracts ended, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai's power decreased markedly.

The team has not tasted any win in the first four games as all ended with draw results.

"Viettel is a strong team. Their local and foreign players are good. But our head-to-head result is equal. We want to have a point from this match to climb up in the ranking," said Anh. "We believed in ourselves and our strong spirit."

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai currently sits at ninth place with four points. VNS