Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh FC (red) in a recent match of the Nightwolf V.League 1-2023/24. They aim to beat Khánh Hòa at home today. — Photo baohatinh.vn

Football

HÀ TĨNH — Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh are gearing up to face Khánh Hòa at home today in the Nightwolf V.League 1-2023/24.

A victory over Khánh Hòa would be a major breakthrough for Hà Tĩnh, propelling them out of the bottom group and opening doors for further progress.

Hà Tĩnh's recent back-to-back wins against HCM City and Hoàng Anh Gia Lai have left their loyal fans delighted. Not only have they managed to escape the danger zone, but they have also displayed stable and cohesive style of play. The return of key players such as Trần Phi Sơn, Vũ Quang Nam and Abdoulaye Diallo from injuries has also boosted morale.

Hà Tĩnh are in 11th place with nine points from nine matches, while Khánh Hòa are in 13th position with seven points. Playing at home gives Hà Tĩnh a significant advantage and they are fully focused on securing their third consecutive victory in the national premier league.

A win against Khánh Hòa would not only improve their position but also provide an opportunity to climb higher in the rankings. However, the path ahead will not be easy, as their remaining opponents are all tough contenders.

Khánh Hòa's newly-appointed coach, Trần Trọng Bình, made a promising start to his new job when he led the coastal team to a 2-1 victory against Hà Nội Police. However, they were then beaten by the young players of Sông Lam Nghệ An. In their recent match against Thể Công - Viettel, Khánh Hòa managed to secure a draw, which was considered a success given their underdog status. The team showed great spirit, enthusiasm, and dedication in the game.

The last time Hà Tĩnh and Khánh Hòa faced each other was three months ago in a thrilling match that saw four goals scored in the first round of the 2023/24 National Cup. The winner was determined through a penalty shootout, and Hà Tĩnh emerged victorious with a 4-3 scoreline.

With the advantage of playing on home soil, a heightened sense of competitiveness, and the return of key players, Hà Tĩnh are determined to secure a victory and claim three points against Khánh Hòa, continuing their ascent in the rankings.

Meanwhile, the same day, Hà Nội Police will be visiting the field of Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA). The home team are riding high on the back of a convincing 2-0 victory against the strong contender MerryLand Quy Nhơn Bình Định. This win has boosted the morale of SLNA's young players.

Notably, SLNA's defence has managed to keep clean sheets in their last two matches. The outstanding performance of their 22-year-old goalkeeper, Nguyễn Văn Việt, along with solid defensive support from his teammates, has made it difficult for opponents to breach their defence.

However, SLNA must be cautious of the attacking prowess possessed by Hà Nội Police, whose ranks include talented players like Nguyễn Quang Hải, Geovane Magno and Jeferson Elias. Fortunately for SLNA, Hà Nội Police's striker, Fialho Junior, will be suspended for this match, which weakens the attacking strength of the police team. Junior, a Brazilian striker, currently leads Hà Nội Police's scoring charts with three goals in seven matches.

SLNA's strikers will face a formidable challenge against goalkeeper Filip Nguyễn and other national team members such as Hồ Tấn Tài, Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, and Trần Quang Thịnh. SLNA players must seize every opportunity they get to achieve the best possible results. — VNS