Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm of Hà Nội FC has said he doesn't consider this week's first versus second clash against Viettel as a final.
Hà Nội are unbeaten in nine matches and since the second leg of the season kicked off, the capital side have surged up the rankings to second place, only two points behind Viettel.
Viettel FC coach Trương Việt Hoàng has said his players are playing better than his generation who won the national title with Thể Công in 1998.
Senegalese defender Pape Diakite of HCM City FC slammed refereeing decisions and accused star national team midfielder Nguyen Quang Hải of diving in the V.League 1 over the weekend on his Facebook page.
V.League 1 newcomers Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh were tipped for relegation at the start of this season, but instead hav become the surprise package of the top-flight.
The 23-year-old Hà Nội FC midfielder scored one goal and assisted another to make sure his side came from behind and lifted the trophy with a 2-1 win on September 20.