V-League round 3 preview

Clubs will compete in the third round of the national championship/V-League on January 22. After the third match day, V-League clubs will have two weeks…

21/01/2006 00:00:00
Clubs will compete in the third round of the national championship/V-League on January 22. After the third match day, V-League clubs will have two weeks off for Tet (Lunar New Year) and the V-League will resume on February 5.

Clubs will compete in the third round of the national championship/V-League on January 22. After the third match day, V-League clubs will have two weeks off for Tet (Lunar New Year) and the V-League will resume on February 5. At least four clubs, such as Hoa Phat Hanoi, Pomina Steel Tien Giang, Da Nang and defending champions Dong Tam Long An, are under heavy pressure and want to gain good results before saying goodbye to the Year of Rooster.

* LG.HN.ACB vs PISICO Binh Dinh

The Hanoi visit of PISICO Binh Dinh will be successful if the club gain at least one point from their hosts LG.HN.ACB after sharing points with another club of Hanoi, Hoa Phat Hanoi in a midweek match.

 

LG.HN.ACB, who did not play the midweek round, and will have to work hard to separate Thai playmaker Issawa Singtong and his team mate Sarayoot in the hope of earning three points.

 
Last year, PISICO Binh Dinh lost in both meetings with LG.HN.ACB. This happen again this year.

Verdict: 1-0

* Mikado Nam Dinh vs. Mitsustar Haier Haiphong

In the last two years, Mitsustar Haier Haiphong have left Nam Dinh empty-handed. The visitors faced many difficulties in preventing their hosts” counterattacks. Their task will be more difficult as they are missing four suspended players. 
In the meantime, Mikado Nam Dinh have escaped pressure after a 2-1 victory over their hosts Da Nang in the midweek round. Thai striker Ekephan had a good debut, scoring the winner for Mikado Nam Dinh. He is likely to trouble the visitors” defence.

* PJICO Song Lam Nghe An vs. Hoang Anh Gia Lai 

After a 2-0 victory over Mitsustar Haier Haiphong, Hoang Anh Gia Lai will travel to Vinh to play against troubled PJICO Song Lam Nghe An. In the midweek game, two Ks” (Kiatisuk and Kesley Alves) of Hoang Anh Gia Lai scored one goal each. If they continue their top form as in the match against Mitsustar Haier Haiphong, Hoang Anh Gia Lai will earn at least a point. Last season, Hoang Anh Gia Lai left Vinh with one point after drawing 0-0 with their hosts.


Verdict: 1-1

* Southern Steel Saigon Port vs. Da Nang
 

Last year, Da Nang left Ho Chi Minh City with three points, beating their hosts 1-0. It may not repeat as Dang Nang are not as strong as they were last year after the dismissal of coach Le Thuy Hai and the arrest of talented winger Huynh Quoc Anh due to match fixing charge.
 

In the mean time, Southern Steel Saigon Port seems stronger with new players, Trung Kien and Niweat. After holding Binh Duong to a 0-0 draw mid week, the hosts have high morale and should earn a good result against their visitors.


Verdict: 1-0

* Khatoco Khanh Hoa vs. Dong Tam Long An

It may be a tough game for Dong Tam Long An as they may be missing five players due to injuries and suspension. Whether Minh Phuong will play or not remains a doubt. It is time for other clubs to beat the defending champions. 
Khatoco Khanh Hoa of coach Nguyen Ngoc Hao played well in their first two matches. Their only problem is poor finishing by their strikers. Playing against Dong Tam Long An, the hosts are unlikely to waste their opportunities as they did in the first two matches as their visitors look sharp at counter attacks.

Verdict: 1-0

* Pomina Steel Tien Giang vs Hoa Phat Hanoi

Two clubs have not won so far yet. Hoa Phat Hanoi seem to have some problems in their playing style. Also, they will be missing centreback Pham Nhu Thuan due to an injury. Van Luu will fill the gap left behind by Nhu Thuan. 

Goalkeeper Essele will start the game as coach Vuong Tien Dung want to strengthen the visitors” defence. His team will wait for their opportunities from counter attacks.

 
This is the first meeting of the two teams in the V-League.

Verdict: 1-1    
 
(nhandan.com.vn)