V-League 2006, Round 4 preview: Interesting matches expected

Dong Tam Long An vs. Hoa Phat Hanoi

Defending champions Dong Tam Long An have a good opportunity to gain their first victory in the V-League this season when playing against Hoa Phat Hanoi at home. The home side will welcome Antonio and Carlos Rodrigues, and Van Hung back after their suspension in the third round. Minh Phuong seemed to have recovered from an injury and returned to the champions” squad in the third round. They will be missing captain Phan Van Tai Em, who is still sidelined.

Meanwhile, the Hoa Phat Hanoi will have their defensive midfield Pham Nhu Thuan back after he recovered from an injury.

Even though the two clubs lost in the third round and Hoa Phat Hanoi have one point more than their hosts, it will be a surprise if the visitors have one point.

Last year, Dong Tam Long An beat Hoa Phat Hanoi 2-0 at home and drew 0-0 with their visitors in Hanoi.

Verdict: 2-0

Hoang Anh Gia Lai vs Khatoco Khanh Hoa

Winning one game and losing two other matches are unsatisfactory results for the former champions, especially after they made big pre-season signings. Hoang Anh Gia Lai are favourites to take three points when receiving newcomers Khatoco Khanh Hoa at home. However, the hosts will not have their strongest squad available as Dusit is still sidelined and their new signing Kesley Alves will miss the match due to suspension. However, the hosts are stronger than their visitors.

Khatoco Khanh Hoa surprisingly share top spot in the table with Da Nang. Coach Nguyen Ngoc Hao, whose former team Song Da Nam Dinh gained good results from Hoang Anh Gia Lai, wants their good form to continue. His good understanding of Hoang Anh Gia Lai may help Khatoco Khanh Hoa.

Verdict: 2-1

PISICO Binh Dinh vs. Pomina Steel Tien Giang

PISICO Binh Dinh have proved themselves as dark horses with a three game unbeaten run. They will extend their record by beating their visiting Pomina Steel Tien Giang, who won promotion from Division 1 last season. This is a possible task for the hosts despite their missing of Thai striker Sorayoot due to an injury. To replace the Thai striker, coach Duong Ngoc Hung may line up Afred and Ekpe in the forward line. The hosts” problem is their poor finishing as they have only scored one goal in three games. However, their strength is a solid defence, which helped the club keep their clean sheets in the last three games.

For the visitors, one point is a realistic target for their visit to Quy Nhon.

Verdict: 1-0

PJICO Song Lam Nghe An vs. Mikado Nam Dinh

A victry over Hoang Anh Gia Lai with a goal by Vietnamese Player of the Year runner-up Le Cong Vinh was a great boost for troubled PJICO Song Lam Nghe An, who had their players, coaches and accountant arrested for match fixing and offering bribes. The club may join the top three teams in the table with a victory over their visitors Mikado Nam Dinh. However, it is not an easy task, as their visitors want to earn points. The two teams have good young players, who want to prove their ability to get called up for the national and under-22 teams.

It may be a heated match with clashes in midfield. Their clash may be the most interesting game of round four.

Last season, PJICO Song Lam Nghe An beat Midako Nam Dinh 1-0 at home and drew 1-1 in Nam Dinh.

Verdict: 1-1

LG.HN.ACB vs. Binh Duong

In the previous years, Binh Duong gained poor results when they travelled to the north. In 2004, they earned only one point from their four matches. They seem to have left their poor achievements in the north behind after they beat their hosts Mikado Nam Dinh. They may extend their good results in the north with a victory over LG.HN.ACB on Sunday. With good strikers Philani and Amaobi, who will get support from Abbey and Truong Giang, Binh Duong are strong opponents for every club in the V-League.

Meanwhile, their hosts LG.HN.ACB rely only on striker Mauricio Luis and Xuan Thanh. They have many young players who have been promoted from the under-21 teams. It will be difficult for the hosts to have points.

In their two meetings last year, Binh Duong gained six points with a 2-1 victory in Hanoi and a 1-0 victory in Go Dau.

Verdict: 1-2

Mitsustar Haier Haiphong vs Southern Steel Saigon Port

Mitsustar Haier Haiphong proved their progress with one point gained from their hosts Mikado Nam Dinh in round three. This was the first point the club had earned in three years. The home side have a more stable squad than the final stage of the 2005 V-League.

Meanwhile, Southern Steel Saigon Port brought many new players before the 2006 V-League. They had a good start when holding their hosts Binh Duong to a 0-0 draw but lost 4-1 at home to Da Nang. With only one point after two games, the visitors may be satisfied with another one point from their visit to Haiphong.

Last season, each of the two sides won 3-2 at home.

Verdict: 1-1

(nhandan.com.vn)