Fierce confrontations

Phase 2 of V.League 1-2023 kicks off this weekend with a championship race for the top 8 teams and a relegation battle for the remaining 6 teams after the end of Phase 1. Right from the first round, there are already anticipated fierce matchups.

Dong A Thanh Hoa (red shirts) will host Thep Xanh Nam Dinh (yellow shirts) at home in the first round of phase 2.

Two consecutive victories in the 2023 National Cup are seen as an important springboard for Dong A Thanh Hoa in preparation for the second phase of V.League 1-2023. Coach Velizar Popov's team has rediscovered the feeling of winning after a series of three draws and losses at the end of the first phase.

The Bulgarian coach said: "We will still have to try our best in every match and haven't thought about competing for the championship yet. Our immediate goal is to win 3 points against Nam Dinh Steel in the first round of the second phase. Playing at home will be an advantage to help us achieve that goal."

Coach Popov and his players are determined to win in the very first round of the second phase.

During the mid-season transfer window, Dong A Thanh Hoa only made one addition: striker Vo Nguyen Hoang from PVF-CAND. This will be a much-needed boost to the Thanh Hoa team's attack. The new signing was also registered to play in the quarter-finals of the National Cup against Phu Dong last week.

In addition, Dong A Thanh Hoa has the important return of striker Paulo Conrado after a period of injury. The Brazilian striker missed several matches at the end of the first phase.

Dong A Thanh Hoa has enjoyed consecutive victories in the National Cup.

Thanh Hoa FC will have all three of their foreign players available for the match against Nam Dinh Steel Green, especially the striker duo Bruno Cunha and Paulo Conrado.

The two teams met in the first phase at Thien Truong Stadium, ending in a 0-0 draw. Nam Dinh's team travels to Thanh Hoa with the goal of securing points and will play with the highest determination. Each team has its own objectives, and these factors suggest that the clash between Dong A Thanh Hoa and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh will be a heated match both on the field and in the stands.

The first round of the second phase of V.League 1-2023 will feature many other exciting matches in both groups. In the championship group, the highlight will be the match between hosts Hanoi FC and Topenland Binh Dinh. This will be a challenge for the defending champions Hanoi FC, even though they will be playing at Hang Day Stadium. Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team has shown considerable confidence ahead of this away match in the capital.

Quang Hai is still on his quest for his first win with his new team, Hanoi Police (Photo: VPF).

Meanwhile, Nguyen Quang Hai and Filip Nguyen will be looking for their first win in the Hanoi Police jersey when the team hosts Hong Linh Ha Tinh. Furthermore, three points would help Hanoi Police maintain their top spot in the league standings. A slip-up could see Coach Flavio Cruz's team overtaken by Dong A Thanh Hoa and Hanoi FC.

In the relegation battle, the "relegation final" match between SHB Da Nang and Becamex Binh Duong also attracted a lot of attention. These are two names that were once glorious.

The points earned by teams in Stage 2 will be added to the points earned in Stage 1. The final ranking of the season will be determined based on the total points from both stages.

Manh Cuong

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/the-thao/vong-1-giai-doan-2-v-league-1-2023-nhung-cuoc-doi-dau-nay-lua/190707.htm