V-League championship candidates revealed

After Nam Dinh crushed HAGL with a tennis score right at home at Thien Truong Stadium, the capital team quickly demonstrated their position as a championship candidate with a resounding 5-1 victory over Ho Chi Minh City Club at Hang Day Stadium.

"Two-horse" race

In the final sprint to the finish line, the right to self-determination is in the hands of the team from Thanh Nam, when coach Vu Hong Viet's team firmly established the top position in the table. Nam Dinh only needs at least 4 more points in the remaining 3 rounds to be crowned V-League champions for the second consecutive year. This task is not too difficult when coach Vu Hong Viet and his team compete with opponents who are considered weaker, respectively: Song Lam Nghe An (May 24), Quang Nam (June 15) and Ha Tinh (June 22).

Unlike last season, the Thien Truong team no longer depends too much on the performance of foreign players. Domestic players such as Van Vi, Hoang Anh, Lam Ti Phong, Van Dat... all play important roles in the diverse attacking strategies, which have been carefully built by the coaching staff. In addition, the silent contributions of experienced stars from Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club such as Van Toan, Tuan Anh, Hong Duy... also make Nam Dinh a "force" that is difficult to overthrow. The duo Van Toan and Tuan Anh are still the top choices in coach Vu Hong Viet's tactical scheme.

Meanwhile, Hanoi FC had a shaky start, despite a strong acceleration in the second leg of the V-League, but still lost points regrettably when facing teams considered weaker, so there is still a 5-point gap compared to Nam Dinh FC. Captain Nguyen Van Quyet said that the team's foreign players were slow to catch up and get used to the team's general playing style. This caused the domestic players to constantly "carry the burden", have to compete frequently, leading to a decline in physical strength, not ensuring stability in tactical operations.

Nam Dinh Club (right) has a "wide open door" to defend the V-League title. (Photo: VPF)

Dramatic relegation race

The bottom of the rankings is constantly changing as the teams in the lower groups show their determination to avoid relegation. After 23 rounds, Da Nang, despite their progress, are still the leading candidate for relegation, with the same points as the second-to-last team in the rankings (Binh Dinh) but having played one more match.

Meanwhile, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City Club, Song Lam Nghe An and Quang Nam are not sure of staying in the league as the point gap with the two bottom teams is not large.

V-League has 3 more rounds and anything can happen at this crucial moment. The results of the "reverse finals" at the end of the journey will decide the relegation ticket as well as the team that has to play the play-off to stay in the league.

Just one small mistake in the last 3 rounds can make the bottom teams pay a heavy price. Experts say that Binh Dinh is at a disadvantage when the 4 upcoming opponents of the martial arts team are all very strong, namely Thanh Hoa, Hanoi Police, Ho Chi Minh City Club and Hanoi.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/lo-dien-ung-vien-vo-dich-v-league-196250519213351104.htm