HÀ NỘI — The nation’s top-tier football championship, V. League 1, returns today with particular interest in the match between football clubs hailing from the same city: HCM City meet Sài Gòn FC.

The third round match will take place at Thống Nhất Stadium. It promises to be an exciting event for fans and footballers alike.

With two wins in two rounds, Sài Gòn FC temporarily take the lead alongside Thanh Hóa with six points in the rankings, while with one loss and one draw, HCM City rank 12th with only one point.

“After every match, I have a habit of immediately forgetting the win or loss to think about the next match. I won’t reveal how my team are preparing for the derby match because football must be proven at the ground and shown through tactics,” said coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng of Sài Gòn.

“I believe that everybody will wait for the coming match which will be very interesting and attractive. And of course, I hope my team will win,” Thắng added.

Meanwhile coach Alain Fiard of HCM City has undertaken careful preparation for this match. Fiard was present at Thống Nhất Stadium last Saturday to observe Sài Gòn playing with SHB Đà Nẵng, getting an insight into their tactics.

Fiard, who was a coach and former player in French Ligue 1, said the match would not be easy for his team as Sài Gòn have good players and physical strength.

However, the 58-year-old coach, who has a Cambodian-Vietnamese grandmother, affirmed that his team are ready for the match and will play a memorable game of football.

In other news, defending champions Hà Nội FC have received some good news as their striker Nguyễn Văn Quyết has totally recovered from his injury and is willing to play in the match against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

Quyết was seriously injured in the National Super Cup match with Quảng Ninh Coal last December. Doctors said Quyết had to rest for at least one month. However, Quyết has regained his health earlier than expected.

Without Quyết, the capital’s team struggled to beat Quảng Ninh 3-2 and lost to Quảng Nam 1-2 in the league’s first and second round match.

“Quyết’s return will provide more choices in attack. Facing Hoàng Anh Gia Lai or any other team is very difficult. My team will have to try their best to gain three points,” said Hà Nội coach Chu Đình Nghiêm.

Elsewhere today, FLC Thanh Hóa meet Long An; Sông Lam Nghệ An face off against Khánh Hòa; Cần Thơ play Becamex Bình Dương; Quảng Nam face Đà Nẵng and Hải Phòng meet Quảng Ninh Coal. — VNS