Warming up: Hoang Anh Gia Lai players seen during a training session. They will meet Song Lam Nghe An tomorrow. — Photo news.zing.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) will face Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) without their key players in the ninth round of Toyota V.League 1 at Vinh Stadium tomorrow.

Tran Huu Dong Trieu, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Phong Hong Duy and Hoang Thanh Tung, who are key members of the national U19 team, are all sidelined with injuries.

In addition, the club have cancelled midfielder Cosmin Goia's contract following a string of poor performances.

HAGL's coach Guillaume Graechen said even though the team would be without some best players, they still play attacking football and go for the win.

He said in football, one player's misfortune is a chance for another player to shine. He believes his players would perform well.

Graechen, who suffers a leg injury, added that wining at Vinh Stadium wasn't an easy task, but HAGL would try the best to get at least one point.

In preparation for the match, HAGL have been training in Nha Trang and played friendlies matches with Phu Yen, Quang Nam and Sanna Khanh Hoa.

At present, SLNA are sixth in the league with 14 points, while HAGL are 10th with seven points.

"HAGL are strong rivals with young and skillful athletes. The V.League 1 has been on a break for nearly two months, but we have trained regularly. Now we are ready to meet them," said coach Ngo Quang Truong.

At Chi Lang Stadium, Sanna Khanh Hoa will play SHB Da Nang tomorrow.

"Khanh Hoa have several injured players but they will recover in time for the match. In general, we are in good form," said Khanh Hoa coach Vo Dinh Tan.

Tan said his team want to take three points from the match with Da Nang to create momentum for their next matches with Ha Noi T&T, Quang Ninh Coal and Becamex Binh Duong.

In other fixtures, Dong Thap will face Thanh Hoa at Dong Thap Stadium, Can Tho will play Dong Tam Long An at Can Tho Stadium and Dong Nai will play Binh Duong at Dong Nai Stadium.

National U23 team coach Toshiya Miura will watch the match between Quang Ninh and Quang Nam at Cam Pha Stadium to assess potential players for the 28th Southeast Asian Games in Singapore in June. — VNS