Will the star players break their losing streak?

Nam Định defeated HAGL 3-0 in the first leg of this season's match. (Photo: WS)

Since their return to the V-League in 2018, Nam Dinh has lost every match when playing away against HAGL. Pleiku Stadium has become one of the two most dreaded venues for the Nam Dinh team, alongside visiting Hanoi FC at Hang Day Stadium.

However, Nam Dinh has made remarkable progress this season. With a squad full of top players, they won 2-1 and for the first time defeated Hanoi FC at Hang Day Stadium last March.

Notably, Nam Dinh has strengthened its squad by recruiting three iconic players from HAGL: striker Nguyen Van Toan, winger Nguyen Phong Hong Duy, and midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh.

The trio of former HAGL players, along with other talented players such as To Van Vu, Ho Khac Ngoc, Ly Cong Hoang Anh, Lucas Alves, Hendrio, etc., will aim to help Nam Dinh break their losing streak at Pleiku Stadium.

Unfortunately, Nam Dinh will be without their key striker Rafaelson in this match. The forward, who is currently leading the V-League's top scorer list with 19 goals, is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards.

Rafaelson was suspended when Nam Dinh visited HAGL. (Photo: WS)

Without Rafaelson, breaking through HAGL's defense will be a much tougher challenge for Nam Dinh. The home team has transformed recently, with coach Vu Tien Thanh building a pragmatic playing style based on the foreign central defensive pairing of Dias and Jairo, and the resurgence of goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung.

Under the guidance of coach Vu Tien Thanh, HAGL has gone undefeated in 8 matches, propelling them forward in the relegation battle. The team from Pleiku is currently in 10th place with 21 points, 11 points ahead of bottom-placed Khanh Hoa and 6 points ahead of second-to-last place SLNA.

Nevertheless, the balance of power still leans more towards Nam Dinh. At this point, HAGL can hardly compete with the V-League leaders in terms of squad depth and playing quality. In addition, the team from Pleiku will be without striker Dinh Thanh Binh due to suspension.

More importantly, Nam Dinh is surging towards the finish line in the championship race. Coach Vu Hong Viet's team has just consecutively defeated two rivals, CAHN FC and Binh Duong , creating an 8-point gap with the chasing pack.

Predicted lineup:

HAGL: Bui Tien Dung, Van Son, Gabriel Dias, Jairo, Duc Viet, Thanh Binh, Minh Vuong, Tan Tai, Dung Quang Nho, Joao Henrique.

Nam Dinh: Nguyen Manh, Hong Duy, Thanh Hoa, Lucas Alves, Van Dat, Van Vu, Hendrio, Van Cong, Hoang Anh, Van Toan, Minh Tuan.

PV/VOV.VN

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/hagl--nam-dinh-dan-hao-thu-pha-dop-toan-thua-185502.htm