Football
Nam ĐỊnh players train through Tết to prepare for the V.League 1. They will visit Hải Phòng on February 17 at the Lạch Tray Stadium. Photo courtesy of Nam ĐỊnh FC
HÀ NỘI — The national premier league will be back in action after a month break on February 17 with all eyes on the match between Nam Định and Hải Phòng
The following day coach Kiatisak Senamuang will take charge for the first time of former champions Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.
Nam Định maintained their best line-up which helped them fly high after the first eight matches. They are surprise leaders with 19 points after six wins, one draw and one loss.
Nam Định players had little time to relax during the Tết holiday as they trained since the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The club also strengthened their squad with the signing of Lucas Alves de Araujo, former captain of Dinamo Bucharest FC of the Romanian SuperLiga.
The experienced Brazilian centre-back has played in many European tournaments after competing in his home country. He has played for Corinthians, Flamengo SP, Portimonense, PAS Lamia and Le Mont LS before switching to Việt Nam.
The 31-year-old is expected to improve Nam Định's defence which conceded 11 goals to date.
Meanwhile, Hải Phòng is still in trouble after their captain Nguyễn Huy Hải's departure at the end of last season.
Their former national midfielder Lương Xuân Trường also decided to leave last month after he received an offer from Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh.
Hải Phòng, which set a target of being in the leading group this season, currently sit in the middle of the table with 11 points. They have won only three matches, drew two and suffered two defeats.
Hải Phòng will however have home advantage and their enthusiastic supporters will help push the team's spirit.
Coach Kiatisak Senamuang will take charge of his first match with Hà Nội Police when the champions play HCM City on February 18. Photo courtesy of Hà Nội Police
On February 18, Thai legend Kiatisak will take charge of his first match as head coach of Hà Nội Police as the reigning champions hope for a win over HCM City FC to improve their unexpected ranking.
They are in fifth position with just 12 points. The poor performance of the team, which is home to many national stars, has not satisfied supporters and the coaching staff.
Kiatisak takes the hot seat after the Police sacked their South Korean coach Gong Oh Kyun who did not meet the club's demand despite his remarkable profile.
The former Thai striker is the Police's third head coach this season. He left Hoàng Anh Gia Lai after three years as he is seeking his first title at the V.League 1, where he played in the early 2000s.
He has been working with the new team for two months and will have his star defender Đoàn Văn Hậu and striker Phan Văn Đức back after injuries.
HCM City also have the same points as the visitors and a win on home soil will help them jump into the top five.
It is a remarkable result for the club that struggled to avoid relegation in the last four seasons.
Under coach Phùng Thanh Phương the team are considered heading in the right direction to get back to their peak performance.
Club chairman Nguyễn Văn Hùng said football was a team sport which required solidarity and determination from all members. HCM City coaching board and players targeted a beautiful attacking style which brought high results for the team in 2023-24 season.
"We will do all the best to push HCM City back on top as we did in the past, worthy of being the club representing the largest city in the country," he said.
In other matches, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai are looking for a place in the top five as they visit Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh in the bottom three.
Bình Dương will host Quảng Nam in the match in which Lê Huỳnh Đức will be honoured as the best coach in December.
Thể Công Viettel with new coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng will play Khánh Hòa at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium.
Elsewhere, the former champions will visit Thanh Hóa while Bình Định will entertain Sông Lam Nghệ An in the latest matches on February 18. VNS
OVietnam