Petro Vietnam Gas V.League 2007: A three-horse race to the title

The 2007 national football championship/V-League 2007, kicking off on March 3, is expected to see a three-horse race to the title. Defending champions Dong Tam Long An, Binh Duong and Hoang Anh Gia Lai are possible favourites. Also, Da Nang are not outsiders. Nhan Dan Online looks at the clubs” preparations and their strength.

Dong Tam Long An

Having won the V-League title in two last seasons, Dong Tam Long An have caught up Hoang Anh Gia Lai”s achievements. The defending champions are targeting the third title in a row, thus to beating Hoang Anh Gia Lai”s record.

Dong Tam Long An made a good start of the new season as they won the first national super cup, beating national cup winners Hoa Phat Hanoi, in the season”s curtain raiser. They then beat Southern Steel Saigon Port 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the 2007 national cup.

The champions made some changes. Calisto Henrique, who acted as technical director for five years, is now the team manager. They sold the striker Carlos Rodrigues to Ninh Binh Vinakansai but recalled on-loan Tshamala Kabanga to fill Rodrigues” boost. Tshamala, who scored a brace to help Dong Tam Long An beat Hoa Phat Hanoi, has helped the champions” attacking line, playing behind front two Antonio Rodrigues and Viet Thang.

Also, former fullback of Hoang Anh Gia Lai Quang Trai proved he can play well, partnering veteran skipper Van Giau at centreback.

Dong Tam Long An”s strength is in midfield, where two Vietnamese internationals Tai Em and Minh Phuong produce a launch pad for the club”s attacks.

Even though Dong Tam Long An”s officials have set a target of joining the top three clubs in the 2007 V-League, the ambitious club is eyeing the first hat-trick victory.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai

Hoang Anh Gia Lai finished two last seasons empty-handed. Therefore, right after the finish of the 2006 V-League, Doan Nguyen Duc, president of the twice-champions, declared Hoang Anh Gia Lai would win the 2007 league.

To that end, Hoang Anh Gia Lai signed the currently top player in Southeast Asia, Datsakorn Thonglao alongside Ivorian strikers Preko and Douhou to replaced retired former Thai star Kiatisuk Senamuang and Kesley Alves who returned to his first club Binh Duong. How will the three new contracts of Hoang Anh Gia Lai to prove their ability has drawn much attention of Vietnamese spectators.

Also, Hoang Anh Gia Lai signed former Thailand national coach Chatchai as their manager to replace Kiatisuk.

Furthermore, Hoang Anh Gia Lai are strong at home as they have built up their Pleiku stadium as a difficult place to go.

With these changes in their squad, twice-champions, who did not join any warm-up tournaments and had a training tour in Thailand, are quietly preparing for their return even though they had been crashed out of the national cup.  

Binh Duong

In recent years, Binh Duong were considered as possible favourites for the league title. Even though they improved their achievements, finishing runners-up in 2006 after ranking third in 2005 and fifth in 2004, Binh Duong painfully conceded the title in the last two seasons. Binh Duong were beaten by Dong Tam Long An when their star-studded tired out in the final stage of the two seasons.

Determined to improve their last season”s position, Binh Duong made preparations after the end of the 2006 V-League. They signed Luong Trung Tuan and Minh Duc to strengthen their back line. They also introduced new contract Diego, who played impressively in friendly tournaments and proved his capability of replacing Abbey.

In the attacking line, Binh Duong continue to rely on Kesley Alves, top scorer of the 2004 season, Amaobi, top scorer of the 2003 season, and Philani. This may be an Akin heel” of the so-called Vietnamese Chelsea.” Kesley Alves lost his top form when moved to Hoang Anh Gia Lai and is struggling. So is Amaobi. Philani was no longer a surprise for defenders in the V-League. 

The problem of Binh Duong is how to link their players into a strong team. Their failure at friendly tournaments and recent defeat at Dong Thap in the national cup may have given them an alarm just before the kick-off of the league.  

Ngoc Khanh