A commotion erupted at Chi Lăng Stadium.

Chi Lang - Photo 1.

New signing Ribamar ( Da Nang FC, left) is in good form with two goals in two matches - Photo: DNFC

First time escaping the bottom of the table.

Having languished at the bottom of the table until round 15, Da Nang FC finally escaped 14th place for the first time after a 1-1 draw away at Ninh Binh . However, they are only ahead of bottom-placed PVF-CAND on goal difference (-6 compared to -11), as both teams have 11 points before round 16.

Tonight's match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai (ranked 11th, 14 points) at Chi Lang Stadium is considered a "six-point game". If Da Nang FC wins by two goals, they will not only equalize the points but also overtake their rivals thanks to their head-to-head record (Hoang Anh Gia Lai won 1-0 at home in the first leg). The home team will be without their naturalized central defender, Do Phi Long, in this match.

With three more points, Da Nang FC has a better chance of overtaking Thanh Hoa (currently in 12th and 13th place). Thanh Hoa is facing personnel and financial crises ahead of their away match against reigning champions Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, which takes place at the same time, 6 PM.

The new spirit of the champion

The return of coach Vu Hong Viet has brought a familiar breath of fresh air to Nam Dinh FC. This has resulted in the taste of victory in two consecutive rounds against Ninh Binh (3-2) and PVF-CAND (1-0). More importantly, they want to redeem themselves after the 2-2 draw against Thanh Hoa in the first leg.

Not only did the "red" coach bring victory back to Thien Truong Stadium, but he also caused his opponents to be sacked after each win. Coach Gerard Albadalejo lost his job at Ninh Binh Arena in round 14. PVF-CAND dismissed coach Nguyen Thanh Cong after round 15 following their loss to Nam Dinh.

Thanh Hoa FC, the defending champions' opponent, is still mired in a personnel crisis. Coach Mai Xuan Hop has lost two players in this round due to suspensions, leaving him with only 17 registered players. Thanh Hoa will continue to play with fighting spirit, while the home team, Nam Dinh, is determined to win.

The race to defend their championship title against Nam Dinh FC seems a bit far-fetched as they are currently 17 points behind the league leaders. However, giving up has never been in the vocabulary of the Nam Dinh team. Coach Vu Hong Viet wants to improve the team's position before setting a specific goal.

The latest match is Hanoi FC hosting Song Lam Nghe An. The visiting team has an impressive run of form with four wins and one loss in their last five matches, climbing to 9th place. This is on par with the league leaders, Hanoi Police FC. In the first leg, Hanoi FC easily won 3-1 away in Vinh.

Hanoi FC will be without foreign player Daniel Floro due to a direct red card in round 14. Meanwhile, Song Lam Nghe An will be without center-back Hoang Van Khanh after accumulating three yellow cards.