Will Dinh Trieu avoid defeat, and will Coach Polking win?

TWO DRAMATIC DRAW MATCHES

In their opening match at Tam Ky Stadium yesterday (February 14th), the Da Nang team nearly pulled off a major upset against The Cong Viettel, a team considered much stronger in the V-League. The highlight for Da Nang FC in this match was goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung's excellent performance with numerous saves, and head coach Le Duc Tuan receiving a direct red card for his strong reaction to the referee. Da Nang FC came very close to their second win of the season, keeping a clean sheet during regular time. However, Nham Manh Dung's equalizer in the final minute of injury time (90+5) meant the team had to settle for a disappointing draw. With only one point in round 13, Da Nang FC finished the first half of the season at the bottom of the table with only 8 points.

Da Nang Club (right) shared the points in a disappointing draw with The Cong Viettel.

In the other match on February 14th, Thanh Hoa FC also held the advantage with an early lead, but ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Ho Chi Minh City FC. The Thanh Hoa team had to rely on "hero" Doan Ngoc Tan's spectacular late goal to secure a point. Thanh Hoa FC (23 points) regretted this draw as they missed the opportunity to overtake Nam Dinh FC (24 points) at the top of the table.

The V-League relegation battle is intense.

Both SLNA and Hai Phong FC are clubs with rich traditions. However, with the first half of the V-League season not yet over, both are struggling to avoid relegation and are currently in the danger zone. Therefore, the clash between these two clubs at 6 PM today (February 15th) is highly anticipated, considered a "relegation battle" of the tournament. Both teams are brimming with fighting spirit, as neither wants to finish the first half in second-to-last place in the standings , while also facing immense pressure before the second half of the season.

Since the start of the season, SLNA has only won one match (1-0 against Binh Duong FC in round 11). Meanwhile, Hai Phong FC just defeated Ho Chi Minh City FC in round 12 and is in good spirits. In terms of squad strength, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's ​​team is also considered to be of higher quality and more experienced than SLNA, with many young players. The Hai Phong team is only missing the services of energetic midfielder Le Manh Dung (who received a direct red card in round 11). Conversely, SLNA has the advantage of playing at Vinh Stadium. However, the Nghe An team also suffered a setback when defender Hoang Van Khanh was suspended (having accumulated three yellow cards previously). SLNA's already shaky defense is now even more vulnerable. Hai Phong's number one goalkeeper for the 2024 AFF Cup, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, will face many difficulties as the home team is also looking to mount a strong comeback.

Coach Polking

Photo: Minh Tú

The remaining match of the day, February 15th, is the clash between Hanoi Police FC and Quang Nam FC, taking place at 7:15 PM. This is a highly anticipated match as coach Polking and his players will be playing at their home ground, Hang Day Stadium – a stadium where he hasn't complained about the quality of the pitch like the Ha Tinh stadium (in the previous round, Hanoi Police FC drew at Ha Tinh, and according to Polking, the poor pitch was one of the reasons). Will coach Polking be able to find a victory when he has many star players while the visiting team is considered much weaker?

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-v-league-hom-nay-dinh-trieu-lieu-co-thoat-thua-hlv-polking-se-thang-chu-185250214230834277.htm