Top 5 dark horses to watch in V.League 2023/2024; Potential opponent of Vietnam national team denies prediction of Brunei national team captain

Top 5 most notable dark horses in V.League 2023/2024

In addition to the teams that have proven their ability in many past seasons such as Hanoi FC, Viettel or the newly promoted defending champion Hanoi Police. V.League 2023/2024 still has many dark horse teams that can become great obstacles.

Those teams are: Thanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Song Lam Nghe An, Hai Phong

Potential opponent of Vietnam national team denies prediction of Brunei national team captain

Speaking at a press conference before the match with Brunei, coach Shin Tae Yong of the Indonesian national team - a potential opponent of the Vietnamese national team in the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup, denied that he would play with 8 strikers as predicted by the captain of the Brunei national team.

Indonesia will face Brunei in the first round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off. The winner of this match will enter the group with Vietnam, the Philippines and Iraq. The first leg between Indonesia and Brunei will take place on the evening of October 12. The difference in strength between the two teams is huge as Indonesia is considered much stronger.

Speaking before the match, Brunei captain Hendra Azam Idris said that Indonesia would play an all-out attack and predicted that the opponent would apply a 1-1-8 strategy. “Maybe tomorrow they will attack with all-out force, playing with a 1-1-8 formation. Therefore, we have to arrange many players in defense,” said Hendra Azam. This player expressed: “However, the situation is different now. We played 11v11 from the beginning of the match. Therefore, I am optimistic that we can match Indonesia.”

Having trouble at Al Hilal, can Neymar find himself again in the Brazilian national team?

Neymar is having a disappointing start at Al Hilal. The 31-year-old striker still has the absolute trust of Fernando Diniz, the head coach of the Brazilian national team.

New coach Fernando Diniz still looks to Neymar as a leader. “Neymar is one of the greatest players in history. He is special. Never doubt Neymar’s talent,” the coach who took over in July affirmed.

Coach Rooney has a new destination

Wayne Rooney has been appointed as head coach of Birmingham City, shortly after leaving DC United.

Birmingham sacked manager John Eustace on Monday, despite a strong start to the season, citing the need for a "winning mentality" and "culture of ambition" at the club.

Immediately, the English Championship club signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Rooney, appointing him as head coach. Supporting the former MU striker are Ashley Cole, John O'Shea, Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth. Meanwhile, Maik Taylor is the goalkeeping coach.

After the upcoming international break, Rooney will have his first match in Birmingham, which is a match against Middlesbrough.