Going up: Tran Dinh Trong of Ha Noi FC (left) rises above a HCM City player during their match on Saturday. A draw sealed Ha Noi's promotion to the V.League 1 next season. — Photo bongda365.com.vn

HA NOI (VNS)  — Ha Noi FC have claimed the only promoted berth to compete at next year's V.League 1 round, before the V.League ends this season.

After a goalless draw against HCM City on Saturday, Ha Noi have 27 points after 13 matches, six points more than runners-up Hue.

The club are back in the top league after competing for two years in the lower division.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang was really satisfied with his young players' performance, but asked them to maintain their focus on the final game against Nam Dinh this weekend.

"I am happy, but will hold the celebrations till next week as I want a brilliant win over Nam Dinh on our home turf in Hang Day Stadium, where we will lift the championship trophy," Thang said.

The former national defender has plans to prepare for the competition in the national premier league (V.League 1), which is harder than V.League.

"There is a long period ahead and we will take time to review our players. We will have to recruit both local and international players," he said.

"What make me confident is that Ha Noi have a range of young players who have experience in playing the national U11 to U21 tournaments. They will be great substitutes for the main team," the 40-year-old coach said.

Thang will receive strong support from Nguyen Giang Dong, chairman of the club, who said the club's sponsors and shareholders discussed plans to help Ha Noi catch up with the other V.League 1 teams.

"The most important issue when playing in V.League 1 is finance. And all sponsors have promised to provide stable financial resources to help us play well during the whole season," Dong said, adding that his club might tie up with some other partners in the near future.

Skilled coach

Thang became head coach for the first time while working in Ha Noi.

The trainer, who achieved good results in his debut, is well known for his youth training skills.

In 2014, Thang led Ha Noi T&T's U19 squad to win the national championship. A year earlier, T&T's U21 team won the national title under his guidance.

Many players in Ha Noi such as Pham Duc Huy, Do Van Thuan, Guyana Nam Anh and Nguyen Quang Hai have been training under Thang since they were children.

They are now key members of the team, with some being called to join the national squads.

"The fact that I have worked and spent most of my time with them over many years has proved to be an advantage as I can recognise the players' pros and cons. I can help them bring into play their talent, while fixing their weaknesses," Thang said.

He said he and the players would try to claim a stable position in V.League, though there were some elements that could affect their target.

"Not just I and some other members of the coaching board, but many players are also Hanoians. We will try our best for the club and meet the demands of the capital's fans," he said. — VNS