Hoang Anh Gia Lai will play Quang Ninh Coal in a late match of the V.League 1's 19th round today at the Cam Pha Stadium. — File Photo

HA NOI (VNS) — Nguyen Tan Anh of the Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC management board said his team was clearly staring at a relegation in the future with just two days to go for their clash with Quang Ninh Coal in the round 19 match today of the V. League 1.

However, he said he still believed the team will finish better since it has some of the youngest players in the tournament.

"There is a big danger of falling at rock bottom since we are very low in the rankings. We will have to race against Dong Nai and Can Tho for a place to stay with the V.League 1. I think that there is an even chance for all as seven rounds are still ahead for us to try our best," said Anh, adding that Hoang Anh Gia Lai competed in one match less than the other two teams.

"It is Hoang Anh Gia Lai's head start as we play later. The problem is how my players will perform in the rest of the competition. The team that will play better will gain more points and stay in the V.League 1," he said.

The team's leader did not agree with match fixing to save his club.

"My players have been training methodically and have been educated diligently about building their personality and have a competitive mind. We have certain solutions to ensure they progress ahead in the right fashion that will lead us to complete our target in this season.

"Hoang Anh Gia Lai will always play a beautiful game and lead toward sustainable football."

Anh hoped that the weather today would be good enough for the Hoang Anh Gia Lai vs Quang Ninh Coal match which has been delayed twice because of rainstorm.

On the host side, Pham Thanh Hung, chairman of Quang Ninh Coal, worries a little about the watery field which would strongly affect the quality of the game.

"If it is raining, the field will be flooded and players will not be able to perform at their best," he said.

Quang Ninh have no chance to enter the top three as they were wishing for before the tournament began, but then they are also not facing any risk of relegation.

"We failed to achieve our target and may rank somewhere in the middle of the table. We have to rebuild our team, and change completely to attain a better position next year," he said.

"However, we have to beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai first," Hung said, adding that Quang Ninh will put its strongest players in this match and play with 100 per cent of its strength.

A subscription will be organised at the Cam Pha Stadium and 50 per cent of cash from ticket sales will be used to support local residents who suffered badly from the rainstorm.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai and the Viet Nam Professional Football Company, the manager of the tournament, will also take part in the activity.

The game will be aired live on VTC3, VTC3HD channels from 6pm. — VNS