V.League 2020 return leg: Potential risks from 'alliances'

Closing phase I, in group A, the two teams Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hong Linh Ha Tinh are considered "point treasures" when they are in the same group with teams such as Saigon, Viettel, Than Quang Ninh, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and B. Binh Duong.

Such assessment is due to the strength ofHAGLand HL Ha Tinh are not strong enough to compete for the championship. The team from the mountain town has a team of domestic players, including national players and quality foreign players, but the team's playing style and performance are only average in the V.League.

The “boss” Doan Nguyen Duc and the coach of HAGL have repeatedly declared that HAGL only “plays for fun” and does not aim to win the championship. A team without a clear goal and lacking in technical skills will certainly become a favorite opponent of the championship candidates.

HAGL is considered a "point warehouse" in group A. Photo: VPF

As for Hong Linh Ha Tinh, they are a rookie team, with a group of young players who are not too excellent but are quite a tough opponent, a squad of foreign Brazilian players who are considered to be of good quality and integrated quickly. However, to set the ambition of winning a medal is unrealistic. Hong Linh Ha Tinh themselves must also calculate to finish in the top 5 safely, because they will have to face very strong teams in group A.

Their entry into the top 8 teams is already a great success and of course they are also sure to stay in the league. This has some risks. Firstly, it is undeniable that in V.League there are hidden "alliances", teams are related to each other from the management unit, sponsors, club officials, coaches, players...

In the second leg, fans will certainly be worried about the matches between teams like Hanoi, Than Quang Ninh or HL Ha Tinh. Even the match between Ho Chi Minh City and HAGL will be watched and scrutinized. Right in round 13, an unstable HAGL suddenly defeated a high-spirited Ho Chi Minh City with a score of 5-2. Everyone knows that Ho Chi Minh City is the team that is benefiting from HAGL in recruiting Cong Phuong on loan.

SLNA is holding a big advantage in the relegation race. Photo: VPF

In group B, SHB Da Nang Club (19 points) along with Thanh Hoa, SLNA (18 points) have all left the bottom position of Quang Nam (9 points) quite far behind. In addition to their strength, these teams have too many advantages in the relegation battle, so they have the conditions to play comfortably in the remaining stages of V.League.

In this group of 6 teams, the 2 teams SHB Da Nang and Quang Nam are considered to have a "close" relationship. The same is true for the case ofSLNAand Hai Phong, the two teams often have a good relationship in lending and transferring players. In the last match of phase I, SLNA lost to Hai Phong 1-3.

Such matches are not enough to be considered negative, but V.League audiences and public opinion will have the right to doubt the goals of teams like SHB Da Nang or SLNA when they have 1-2 more wins to have about 21-23 points, a relatively safe position when the tournament ends. People will pay special attention to how the "safe" group will play when facing relegation candidates.

V.League is a very unpredictable playground and game full of problems from referees or unclear goals of each team. The tournament has only 1 champion, 2 medalists and 1 relegated team, of course the remaining 10 clubs will finish in a "no reward, no penalty" position.

Hai Phong Club must save itself after losing to SHB Da Nang. Photo: VPF

Therefore, in the context of Vietnamese football gradually becoming more professional thanks to the efforts of organizers, the clubs themselves need to clearly define their ultimate goals, which are fans, Fairplay, and honesty in football. Or in other words, it is necessary to promote the supremacy of football, the supremacy of the audience... Of course, in football, the team that plays better, is more determined, and is luckier will win.

RememberV.LeagueIn 2019, Mr. Vo Dinh Tan - Head Coach of S. Khanh Hoa made a blunt statement that caused a stir in public opinion: "No matter the circumstances, we still play our best. Up until now, only we have been able to do it, whether we have extra points or not, we play fairly and do not ask anyone." In the end, Coach Vo Dinh Tan's team was the team that was directly relegated last year.

SLNA: After relegation comes the pillars

(Baonghean.vn) - The 4-1 victory over Quang Nam has helped coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team "touch" the ticket to stay in the league. Therefore, the most important task at the moment for SLNA's Board of Directors is to focus on the plan to retain the players whose contracts are about to expire, a number of more than 10 people.