Striker Nguyễn Văn Quyết of Hà Nội vies for the ball with Nam Định players in the 22nd round of V.League 1 on Wednesday. Hà Nội continue to face Viettel today. Photo goal.com

Football

HÀ NỘI Hà Nội FC will have to play their final two home games of the season behind closed doors, dealing a blow to their title defence.

The league leaders were disciplined by the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) due to crowd trouble in their 6-1 home win at Hàng Đẫy Stadium against Nam Định on Wednesday.

The away side's fans were able to bring flares into the stadium and set them off, injuring a female supporter. Nam Định fans also injured a police officer who entered the stand after the incident. 

The two-game ban covers both tomorrow's Hà Nội derby against Viettel and the October 4 match against Quảng Nam.

Hà Nội and Nam Định were both fined VNĐ 85 million (US$3,700), while Nam Định fans are banned for the next two away fixtures against Sanna Khánh Hòa on September 21 and Sài Gòn FC on October 19.

Despite losing home support, Hà Nội are still favourites to take the title as they lead second-placed HCM City FC, who travel to Nam Định tomorrow, by five points.

In other fixtures, relegation strugglers Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) will face Sài Gòn without midfielder and captain Nguyễn Tuấn Anh today.

Anh has been suspended for picking up three yellow cards so will miss the game at Thống Nhất Stadium in HCM City.

HAGL are in real danger of the drop in 12th position in the 14-team league, just a point ahead of Thanh Hóa in the relegation playoff spot and six clear of dead last Sanna Khánh Hòa.

The northern province of Thái Bình-born player Anh plays an important role in his side's possession-focused game.

In the World Cup 2022 qualifier stalemate against Thailand early this month, Anh’s performance received praise from national team head coach Park Hang-seo.

The South Korean said Anh was a great player and although he needed to keep improving, he was one of the most outstanding players in the match.

Triệu Việt Hưng is likely to replace Anh alongside midfielder Lương Xuân Trường in this fixture.

Earlier in the season, HAGL were turned over 1-3 at Pleiku Stadium by mid-table Sài Gòn.

Meanwhile at Lạch Tray Stadium today, it's do-or-die time for bottom-placed Sanna Khánh Hòa against northern-port city team Hải Phòng.

If the away side lose their third in a row avoiding the drop looks almost impossible.

Elsewhere, Quảng Nam will face SHB Đà Nẵng, Bình Dương meet Sông Lam Nghệ An and Thanh Hóa face Quảng Ninh Coal. VNS