Football

HÀ NỘI – Champions Bình Dương will face early pacesetters Hải Phòng in the eighth round match of the V.League 1 at Lạch Tray Stadium tomorrow.

Bình Dương rank fifth in the table with 11 points, while Hải Phòng top the table with 21 points.

Bình Dương’s technical director Đặng Trần Chỉnh said the gap between the two teams was not a big problem as there was still a long way to go in the title race.

“Last year, Bình Dương was nearly bottom of the table and then the team recovered and won the title,” said Chỉnh.

“This is only the first part of the league season and no club is really favoured for the title,” Chỉnh added.

“Hải Phòng are better than were last season. They have recruited many good domestic and foreign players, talented players. They aren’t under pressure to do well so I’m not too surprised that Hải Phòng top the table,” said Chỉnh.

Chỉnh said that his team would put an end to Hải Phòng’s wining run this weekend.

“I like when my team plays a strong opponent like Hải Phòng. Bình Dương need a win to narrow the gap,” said Chỉnh.

Bình Dương have been knocked out of the AFC Champions League, allowing them to focus on defending their national premier league and National Cup titles.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Khánh Hòa meet Sài Gòn and Quảng Ninh play Đồng Tháp.

On Sunday, Hà Nội T&T, who rank 10^th, will meet SHB Đà Nẵng, No 2 at Hàng Đẫy Stadium.

“This will be a very difficult match. We are preparing a tactic for the game,” said Hà Nội’s coach Chu Đình Nghiêm. – VNS