HÀ NỘI — Goal hunter Patiyo Tambwe is ready to score again at the V.League when Quảng Ninh Coal host HCM City FC in the second round match today at Cẩm Phả Stadium.

Arriving at Quảng Ninh from Cần Thơ, Tambwe scored a double for Quảng Ninh, which won against Hà Nội FC to take the Super Cup last month.

He suffered a sprain injury during that match and failed to make the team in the V.League’s first round, which saw his team lose 2-3 to Hà Nội FC.

The Congolese striker is expected to strengthen coach Phan Thanh Hùng’s frontline as he will make pair up with Brasilian Jardel Capistrano.

“HCM City are a promoted team but they have strong financial support and quality players. Their playing style is tough. We have home advantage but it will not be an easy game,” Hùng, who watched the clip of HCM City’s first match versus Quảng Nam, said.

“Luckily Patiyo is back. There is no doubt about his ability, which made him the best scorer of the 2015 season. He is a good player and has integrated well with the new team. He will be better in the future and is my No 1 choice if he has no injury,” he said.

Halfback Dương Thanh Hào, a newcomer, will also be part of the team following a contract signed some days prior to the tournament.

Former national team player Hào, who experienced pain during training, is expected to improve Quảng Ninh’s weak defence that suffered three goal losses in the last match, which saw a mistake by the referee that led to Quảng Ninh’s defeat.

“We talked with the players and the coaches to help them calm down following the loss. Now we are alright and are hoping to enjoy our first win,” Phạm Thanh Hùng, president of Quảng Ninh Coal, said.

It is the first match on home turf for Quảng Ninh and president Hùng has invited popular singers Tuấn Hưng and Bảo Thi, band 198x , DJ Mai Thỏ and dance group Carmen to liven up the stadium.

On the other side, HCM City had an encouraging start, with one point from the first round when they tied Quảng Nam at the Thống Nhất Stadium.

New acting president of the team Lê Công Vinh is expecting another positive result.

“I myself appreciate Quảng Ninh Coal’s power. They just won the national Super Cup,” the former national captain who retired last month said.

“But let’s see how the ball runs in that match. My players will fight until the last seconds for three points,” Việt Nam’s highest scorer said.

His team arrived at Quảng Ninh on Monday to acclimatize themselves with the cold and rainy weather of the North. — VNS