RED MIST: Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm (first left) is prevented from getting closer to referee Vũ Phúc Hoan after Hà Nội drew with Khánh Hoà last week. He has been banned for today's game when Hà Nội host Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. Photo zing.vn

HÀ NỘI — Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm will be in the stands when his Hà Nội FC take on Hoàng Anh Gia Lai today at their home ground Hàng Đẫy Stadium in the V.League.

Nghiêm has been banned for two matches after a verbal altercation with referee Vũ Phúc Hoan in the previous game between Hà Nội and Sanna Khánh Hoà on Saturday.

In extra time with the score 2-1 to his side, Hà Nội midfielder Phạm Thành Lương had chance to score a goal but was ruled offside.

Moments later, Khánh Hòa scored to level at 2-2, knocking the defending champions off top spot in the league.

After the final whistle, Nghiêm rushed onto the field and confronted the officials.

In a post-match briefing he also slammed the officials', saying their incompetence affected the result.

A match supervisor ruled that Nghiêm insulted the officials.

The 47-year-old yesterday posted an apology on his Facebook page, saying he regretted his behaviour.

“My uncontrolled behaviour affected the beautiful football that Hà Nội FC are trying to build. It’s my personal mistake and I will take responsibility and accept all fines from the club and the organising committee,” he posted on Monday.

Apart from his ban, Nghiêm will be fined VNĐ10 million (US$430) by the Việt Nam Football Federation while his club were fined VNĐ25 million ($645) as their fans threw items onto the pitch.

Nghiêm was previously sidelined for four matches for a similar incident in a match against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

While the coach is missing, some of the national team's brightest stars will be taking part.

They include defenders Đỗ Hùng Dũng and Đỗ Duy Mạnh, and midfielders Nguyễn Quang Hải and Phạm Đức Huy of the hosts and striker Nguyễn Văn Toàn and midfielders Trần Minh Vương, Vũ Văn Thanh and Lương Xuân Trường of Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

Matches between the two sides often draw a lot of attention, given they are two of the clubs with the most supporters in the V.League.

Hà Nội are in the better form of the two, sitting second in the table and undefeated in four, including a 0-0 draw against Hoàng Anh Gia Lai on May 31.

However, they will have to do without international Trần Đình Trọng and Nigerian striker Ganiyu Oseni due injuries.

Meanwhile star playmaker Nguyen Quang Hải has struggled this season with only two goals, and club president Đỗ Quang Hiển recently complained about his form.

Hiển said Hải and some other players had not focused enough on football in favour of making money through advertising.

He said players were allowed to make money but the team needed them to keep their focus on football.

Hải’s last goal was on April 21.

The defending champions will know if a win takes them back to the top of the pile at kick-off as league leaders HCM City take on SHB Đà Nẵng at Thống Nhất Stadium two hours earlier.

On the other side, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai, who will miss Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy through injury, are second from bottom.

The Central Highlands side are in the midst of a disastrous run of form, with four losses and two draws in their last six matches.

In their recent five V.League meetings, Hà Nội have won three, drew one and lost one. — VNS