Team spirit: SHB Da Nang players seen during the 2014 season. The club has set a target of finishing in the top three next year. — Photo hff.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — SHB Da Nang aim to reach the top three at the Toyota V-League 1, which will start on Sunday.

"The Da Nang players could be at a lower level in technique compared with the other teams. However, our determination is as strong as the others. It is one of our advantages," said coach Le Huynh Duc.

"They always play with unity and constantly strive to achieve the best result. Those qualities make our local fans proud all the time," he said.

Though confident, Duc admitted that managing a team with 13 young faces added to the formation this year was not an easy task.

"The age gap between the players will be a huge problem for us. We have to make the veterans and the younger players without experience work together. The differences in their techniques and skills will also need to be balanced," said Duc.

"However, my players recognise and will overcome these challenges to reach the target. We will also strive to satisfy the fans and the sports experts."

The 42-year-old imparted that his team faces an unfavourable timetable. They have to travel continuously in the first five rounds. Moreover, they have strong rivals.

Da Nang, who placed fourth last year, will face Thanh Hoa, in third place, in the first match on the away field. They will then return home to host the former winner, Song Lam Nghe An.

Defending champion Binh Duong will wait for them in the next round before they fly to the capital to see Ha Noi T&T. The powerhouse team Hoang Anh Gia Lai will welcome them later.

"The hectic timetable and constant motion will be our obstacles, especially for my young players. I told them that they must overcome their weaknesses to achieve success. If they want to become stars, then they have to handle the immense pressure," Duc said.

Da Nang has only signed three new contracts due to their limited budget. Moreover, the team said goodbye to their talented trio who arrived from their neighbour, Quang Nam FC.

They still have two foreigners, Melquiades Gomes and Anto Pejic, in the line-up. Da Nang also took part in the National Cup tournament where they aim to win a berth in the final match. Their youth teams have been asked to score a place in the top three spots of all the events.

Under Duc since 2008, Da Nang twice won the V-League and the National Cup in 2009 and the V-League and the Super Cup in 2012. — VNS