Go all out between the line of life and death

HOT GROUP WAR

The fact that VPF arranged all 7 matches with 14 teams playing at the same time shows how important the final round of phase 1 is, because after that, V-League 2023 will separate the 8 teams ranked higher to compete for the championship and the 6 teams ranked lower to compete for relegation. The hottest area will be the mid-table area, with 5 teams SLNA, HAGL, Nam Dinh, Binh Dinh, Hai Phong teetering on the edge of life and death. 10th-ranked team SLNA (13 points) is only 3 points behind 6th-ranked team Hai Phong (16 points), equal to a win. This means that if the lower group, SLNA and HAGL, both win, they can push out 1-2 teams ranked higher to take a place in the top 8.

Vòng 13 V-League 2023: Dốc hết sức giữa lằn ranh sinh tử - Ảnh 1. — Binh Duong Club (right) will have a crucial match with Nam Dinh.

It is a true survival race, because the result of the match can decide the future of the head coach. For example, Nam Dinh team has been heavily invested, so if they cannot make it into the top 8, it is a failure. Six years ago, the head coach of this club, Vu Hong Viet, led the U.15 Vietnam team to defeat Thailand right on the opponent's field to win the Southeast Asian championship.

Vòng 13 V-League 2023: Dốc hết sức giữa lằn ranh sinh tử - Ảnh 2. — Coach Huynh Duc faces a big challenge

At this time, Mr. Viet will need that away-field luck to get at least 1 point on Binh Duong FC's field and secure a place in the top 8. The clash between Binh Dinh (ranked 7th) and HAGL (ranked 9th) at Quy Nhon Stadium is also very tense, because HAGL will do everything to win to avoid the relegation spiral, and if the home team loses, they may be replaced by their opponent. SLNA is also determined to win, but this is not an easy task when they have to play away at Hang Day Stadium, on the day Hanoi FC introduces Serbian striker Milan Jevtovic, who played in the Champions League in Europe.

NARROW DOOR FOR RECOVERY GROUP

Coincidentally, all three teams currently in danger of relegation all face teams above them who are desperate for points. Coach Pham Minh Duc's Da Nang Club must take full advantage of their home field because their opponents, the top team, Hanoi Police (CAHN), are in excellent form. CAHN's attack has scored 8 goals in the last 2 matches. After the first 2 draws, perhaps 1 point against the championship candidate will be enough to satisfy Coach Pham Minh Duc, although surely this individualistic coach will quietly prepare a killer move for the new recruit Lucas, who has just been added from Hanoi Club.

Vòng 13 V-League 2023: Dốc hết sức giữa lằn ranh sinh tử - Ảnh 3. — Da Nang FC in trouble

Also at home, Ho Chi Minh City FC will host Viettel FC to welcome the return of striker Jeferson alongside Abouelella Sabe. Viettel FC is gradually reviving with a series of 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 matches and is aiming for the top 3 of V-League 2023. The fact that the 2020 champion has all 3 foreign players will pose a big challenge for coach Vu Tien Thanh. However, Ho Chi Minh City FC has a positive psychological advantage after the impressive return of center-back Brendon.

Coach Le Huynh Duc's situation is much more difficult when he has drawn (4) and lost (1) 5 consecutive matches. The fact that Binh Duong has not known the taste of victory after 12 rounds has put even more pressure on the players' legs. In this situation, it is not impossible that the team from Thu Dau Mot will play "all-in", attacking with all their might to take all 3 points, especially when the leading midfielder Olsen - who used to be Mr. Duc's student at Saigon FC - is integrating very well. But as mentioned above, this match is also of a life-or-death nature for coach Vu Hong Viet. And regardless of the scenario and result, the fact that both coaches have no way back will make the match in Binh Duong extremely tense and worth watching.