Football

Hà Nội Police players in training. The Police team will host Thanh Hóa in the V.League 1's last match on August 27 at Hàng Đẫy Stadium in Hà Nội. Photo courtesy of Hà Nội Police

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội Police will make history in the V.League 1 if they beat Thanh Hóa and secure the national premier league title on August 27, the last game of the season.

The V.League 1 resumes after one week rest for the matches of the National Cup. All seven games will kick-off at the same time.

Leaders Hà Nội Police will host Thanh Hóa at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium where the VAR system will be used.

With 37 points, the Police team need a draw to be crowned champions, no matter what the results are in all the other games. Second placed Hà Nội FC, with 35 points must beat Viettel and hope the Police lose.

Elsewhere, Hải Phòng FC will welcome Topenland Bình Định at their Lạch Tray Stadium and Thép Xanh Nam Định will entertain Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh at the Thiên Trường.

An unexpected 3-0 win over Viettel in the previous match pushed the Police closer to the top prize. It was a big motivation for the team although they will have to face the new National Cup champions.

The only disadvantage to the Police is that they have just made a management change with Trần Tiến Đại replacing Flavio Cruz with no reason given.

But Đại, the team's third head coach this season, is sidelined on Sunday as he is under a one-match ban after receiving three bookings.

If the Police win, they take the championship title in their first season competing at the highest-level tournament.

In the past only Hoàng Anh Gia Lai FC did the same 20 years ago in 2003.

Although Hà Nội can not decide their fate, coach Bozidar Bandovic said his team would never give up. They would do their best to win the capital derby at the Mỹ Đình Stadium.

Hà Nội FC players will focus on their game and hope the Police slip up. — Photo of Hà Nội FC

"My players are in good mood. We are totally focused on the last match," said Bandovic.

"We still have chance to win although it will be really tough. Hà Nội FC will have to prepare best first and then do as best as we can."

In addition, captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết also pushed his teammates, saying the race to the title is still not over.

"This year, Hà Nội Police have ticked all the boxes to lift the title but we will still try our best, showing our style and identity that we have worked so hard to build over the years. We will play with the highest spirit against Viettel," said Quyết

"I hope Thanh Hóa will have a win against the Police. Meanwhile we will beat Viettel and be the champions."

The Việt Nam Professional Football Company has made plans for different final results of the league. There are two versions of the championship trophy made. One will settle at Hàng Đẫy and will be presented to the Police while the other is set at Mỹ Đình in case of Hà Nội's victory.

The winner will walk away with the trophy, gold medals and VNĐ5 billion (US$210,000). The first runners-up will take VNĐ2.5 billion ($105,000) and the second runners-up will earn VNĐ1.25 billion ($53,400). VNS