HAGL vs. TP HCM: A fierce battle for a top 8 spot.

HAGL needs three points at home against second-to-last placed TP HCM to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top eight after the first phase of V-League 2023.

The top two teams, Hanoi Police and Thanh Hoa, have already secured their places in the top 8, while the bottom group, including Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, have no chance.

The remaining six spots are being contested by nine teams, with Hanoi FC currently in third place with 19 points having a slight advantage. HAGL is currently in ninth place with 13 points, two points behind Binh Dinh, who are also their opponents in the final round of the first phase. Coach Kiatisuk's team is therefore aiming for all three points against Ho Chi Minh City before the decisive match.

HAGL is currently ranked ninth in the V-League 2023 standings. Photo: Lam Thoa

HAGL has the home advantage, where they haven't lost a single match this season. Their chances of winning against TP HCM are high given their opponent's inconsistent form and monotonous playing style. Coach Vu Tien Thanh's team relies entirely on the firepower of Hoang Vu Samson and the two foreign players, Daniel Green and Victor Mansaray, while their defense is among the worst in the league, conceding 26 goals in 11 rounds.

Ho Chi Minh City FC has tried to salvage the situation by signing center-back Brendon Lucas to replace Jonathan Campbell, who has failed to meet expectations. With no chance of finishing in the top 8, Ho Chi Minh City FC still needs to accumulate points before entering the relegation battle. Therefore, a point at Pleiku Stadium can be considered a success for them.

Hanoi FC sees the important return of midfielder Do Hung Dung (center). Photo: Hieu Luong

Also taking place at 5 PM today, at the 19/8 Stadium in Nha Trang, hosts Khanh Hoa will take on Hanoi FC . Coach Vo Dinh Tan's team faces a major challenge as the visiting team sees the return of several key players after injury, such as Marcao, Do Hung Dung, and Nguyen Thanh Chung. Hanoi will also introduce new signing Henrique Caio, after parting ways with both foreign strikers Lucao do Break and William Henrique.

Hanoi FC's objective is to secure three points to continue chasing CAHN and Thanh Hoa in the championship race. For Khanh Hoa, defending and waiting for opportunities is their way to earn points.

At Vinh Stadium, SLNA will face Binh Dinh at 6 PM . The visiting team has gone four matches without a win, while SLNA just secured their first victory under coach Phan Nhu Thuat. Their morale and home advantage could help SLNA win two consecutive matches for the first time this season, allowing them to overtake their opponent in the standings.

The latest match took place at Hang Day Stadium at 7:15 PM between Viettel – a team with inconsistent form – and Binh Duong – a team yet to win a match this season . Viettel had the advantage to secure a place in the top 8, but the rain over the past two days in Hanoi made the outcome of the match more unpredictable.

Hieu Luong

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