Top 5 candidates for the 2022 V.League championship

1. Viettel

Viettel is the current champion. Photo: VPF

Despite having to say goodbye to three important pillars, Que Ngoc Hai, Nguyen Trong Hoang and Vu Minh Tuan, the strength of the Army team is still not affected too much. Simply put, Coach Truong Viet Hoang owns a quality squad, with a series of stars spread across all lines and positions.

Just look at the elite squad with Tran Nguyen Manh, Bui Tien Dung, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Nguyen Duc Chien, Ho Khac Ngoc, Nguyen Hoang Duc... then all opponents must be afraid. Don't forget, coach Truong Viet Hoang and his team are the current V.League champions. Therefore, for whatever reason, they cannot be underestimated.

2. Hanoi Club

Player duo Nguyen Quang Hai - Do Hung Dung. Photo: VPF

As the most successful team in the V.League, the capital team's goal this season is nothing more than reclaiming the championship from their neighbor Viettel. To achieve this goal, coach Park Choong-kyun must strengthen his squad, despite the fact that Hanoi FC possesses a series of famous stars.

Along with the plan to clean up the force, Mr. Hien's team also brought in quality new players. The domestic player is Vu Minh Tuan (Viettel).

Besides Vu Minh Tuan (Viettel), Nguyen Hai Long (Than Quang Ninh), Nguyen Van Vi and Pham Tuan Hai (Hong Linh Ha Tinh). Not to mention the presence of a foreign player valued at 18 billion VND named Josip Ivancic.

3. Hoang Anh Gia Lai

Coach Kiatisuk is the brightest star of Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Photo: VPF

After a season of "missing" the 2021 V.League championship, coach Kiatisuk and his team will certainly be determined to "reclaim what was lost". With a quality domestic squad and a long time together, the Pleiku home team also owns 4 highly rated foreign players (Kim Dong-su, Barbosa, Brandao and Jefferson).

In particular, on the coaching bench is coach Kiatisuk, a strategist who is very knowledgeable about Hoang Anh Gia Lai as well as Vietnamese football. Certainly, the mission of "Thai Zico" and his students at V.League 2022 is to win the championship, something the mountain town team has not been able to do for the past 17 years since the 2004 season.

4. Topenland Binh Dinh

Topenland Binh Dinh has recruited 13 new soldiers. Photo: Nguyen Dang

With the support of Topenland Group and Hung Thinh Land, the Quy Nhon team is known as "Vietnam's PSG". Up to this point, the team has recruited a total of 13 new players. Most of them are national players and have affirmed their class in the V.League arena.

These include Tran Dinh Trong, Ly Cong Hoang Anh, Nghiem Xuan Tu, Mac Hong Quan, Ha Duc Chinh and Jeremie Lynch. Leading the Quy Nhon home team is coach Nguyen Duc Thang, a strategist who is highly regarded for his expertise and has left his mark as the "captain" of Saigon and Thanh Hoa clubs.

5. Lam River Nghe An

The departure ceremony of Song Lam Nghe An. Photo courtesy of Duc Anh

"We cannot exclude Hanoi FC from the championship race, they are a very strong team. In my opinion, their form is only temporary and when they return, they will be very strong. We respect all opponents, but if you ask about the team that is capable of winning the cup, I think Viettel or SLNA (Song Lam Nghe An - PV) are both very noteworthy," said Coach Kiatisuk.

It is enough to see how highly the Thai strategist rates Song Lam Nghe An. Obviously, the return of Que Ngoc Hai, Tran Dinh Hoang and Nguyen Trong Hoang has helped Song Lam Nghe An restore its position as a championship candidate. It should be noted that the goal that the Board of Directors of Song Lam Nghe An set for coach Nguyen Huy Hoang and his team at V.League 2022 is only a position in the TOP 3./.

Thanh Hung