Listing the contenders for the V.League 2017 championship.

(Baonghean.vn) - After one round of matches, except for the result of the Hanoi FC - Than Quang Ninh match where referee Duc Vu's controversial whistle affected the outcome, the scores of the remaining 6 matches reflected the preparation, potential, and ambitions of each team.

1.Hanoi FC:

The reigning champions are the best prepared team for the 2017 V-League season, both on and off the field. From renaming the team and attracting more investors to acquiring ownership of the Hang Day Stadium and recalling striker Trinh Duy Long, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem has promoted two key players from the Vietnam U19 team, Doan Van Hau and Ho Minh Di, to the starting lineup. Alongside Quang Hai, Duy Manh, and Hung Dung, these are the names expected to shine after last season.

By defeating Than Quang Ninh, Hanoi FC (in white jerseys) got off to a good start. Photo: Internet

Due to their participation in the AFC Cup, Hanoi FC boasts four quality foreign players: Moses Oloya, Gonzalo Damian Marronkle, Alvaro Linares Silva, and Arnaud Loris, along with naturalized player Hoang Vu Olaleye Samson. Center-back Silva scored on his debut, and Quang Hai caught the eye of coach Huu Thang after scoring two goals against Than Quang Ninh.

Forecast: A strong contender for the championship

2.FLC Thanh Hoa:

FLC Thanh Hóa has the best preparation since joining the V-League. Led by strategist Ljupko Petrovic, a former UEFA Champions League coach, and with players like Hoàng Thịnh, Đình Tùng, and Tăng Tuấn… now boasting two national team players, Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng and Đinh Tiến Thành, FLC Thanh Hóa's squad is like a mini-national team.

With a skilled coach and talented players, failure to win the championship could be considered a failure for the Thanh Hoa team. (Image: Internet)

With naturalized center-back Van Bakel, the attacking line-up of Pape Omar, and last year's leading scorer for Sanna Khanh Hoa, Uche Iheruome, is considered the strongest team in this year's V-League. It's worth remembering that last year these two strikers combined for a total of 29 goals, an impressive number. With a skilled coach and talented players, failing to win the championship would be considered a failure for the Thanh Hoa team.

Forecast: A strong contender for the championship

3.Quang Ninh Coal:

Than Quang Ninh's biggest star is coach Phan Thanh Hung. In his second year leading the team from the mining region, he focused on building a well-functioning system, quite similar to what he did at Hanoi (T&T). Coach Phan Thanh Hung helped midfielders Vu Minh Tuan, Nghiem Xuan Tu, and Nguyen Hai Huy improve their skills.

Than Quang Ninh is brimming with enthusiasm ahead of the new season. Photo: Internet

Using his influence, he brought defender Duong Thanh Hao from Hanoi and defensive midfielder Pham Nguyen Sa from Da Nang. The successful naturalization of Kizito Tran Trung Hieu, a Ugandan national team midfielder since 2012 who played 32 matches and scored 3 goals, has also resulted in the team possessing quality players such as center-back Ramon and forwards Patiyo and Jardel Capistrano. The challenge facing them, like Hanoi FC, is having to compete intensely in the AFC Cup.

Everyone predicts these will be the top 3 teams in the 2017 V-League, each with the potential to become champion, possessing different strengths and weaknesses. Whichever team capitalizes on opportunities when navigating the twists and turns will gain an advantage. What's noteworthy is that the coaches of these three teams are all renowned figures in Vietnamese and European football.

ForecastA potential contender for the championship.

Catcosan Vinh