Quảng Nam have been off to a good start in this year’s tournament. They have two wins, two draws and temporarily rank third out of 14 teams in the rankings with eight points, less than the top team of FLC Thanh Hóa two points. While SLNA rank eight with five points after one win, two draws and one loss.

In the fourth round, Quảng Nam beat Quảng Ninh Coal 3-1 at Cẩm Phả Stadium, while SLNA also held back Đồng Tâm Long An at Long An Stadium 2-1.

The hosts SLNA will lack defender Phạm Thế Nhật, who has been suspended five matches for punching Lê Trung Hiếu of Đắk Lắc in the face during the National Cup on February 4. Meanwhile, the visitors will have all their players.

Although Quảng Nam looks strong against SLNA, coach Hoàng Văn Phúc still remains cautious.

“SLNA had the first win at Long An stadium. This will be a driving force for them for the coming match. Besides, SLNA are using young players who from SLNA youth football training centre, so players easily co-operate with each other. SLNA’s foreign footballers have also performed well. Striker Henry Shackiel is among top scorers of the tournament,” said Phúc.

However, Phúc is very confident about his team.

“Quảng Ninh prepared very carefully for this match. My players are very confident ahead of the match and we believe we will have three points at Vinh Stadium,” said Phúc.

In other news, FLC Thanh Hóa will meet HCM City FC on February 11. The match will be the fight of two foreign coaches from Europe.

Thanh Hóa top the rankings with three wins and one draw, while HCM City rank 10th with one win, one draw and two losses.

Thanh Hóa was named the best club of January. Their head coach Ljubo Petrovic received the best coach of the month award.

Elsewhere this weekend, Đồng Tâm Long An play Hải Phòng, Hà Nội T&T face Đà Nẵng, Sài Gòn play Bình Dương, Khánh Hòa fight Quảng Ninh Coal and Hoàng Anh Gia Lai meet Cần Thơ. — VNS