The 2016 VLEAGUE 1 Title race is the closest in history, with 4 teams all in with a shout as we enter the final round of fixtures. Hanoi T&T take a narrow goal difference advantage into the final round as they seek their 3rd league title and first since 2013. Hai Phong and Quang Ninh are aiming for their first ever league titles, while third placed Da Nang are looking to secure their 4th title.
Hanoi T&T v Thanh Hóa @ Hàng ĐẫyStadium, 4.30pm
In the driving seat, just. Last week’s 93rd minute winner from Van Quyet at Quảng Ninh keeps T&T at the top, and all but ended Quảng Ninh’s own chances of a maiden title.
T&T enter the final weekend with a selection crisis with Van Quyet and Thanh Luong (arguable the two best performers all season) suspended, Loris Arnaud missing in action (we think he’s injured) and Samson, who has a slight chance of making the bench having been earlier ruled out for the season. Expect Gonzalo to lead the attack with support from youngster Van Thanh.
Previous result: League: Thanh Hóa 3-0 Hanoi T&T (Faye x2, Đình Tùng), Cup: Hanoi 1-0 Thanh Hoa ( Văn Quyết)
Leading scorers: Samson (T&T) 15, Faye (TH) 13
T&T will win the title if….. They beat Thanh Hóa and maintain their superior goal difference over Hai Phòng, currently +3. They will also win title if Hai Phòng and Danang both lose. A draw is good enough if Hai Phòng also draw and Danang fail to win. If each of the top four lose then the title is T&T’s, as long as they maintain the superior goal difference.
Hai Phòng v SLNA @ Lạch Tray stadium, 4.30pm
Hai Phòng host SLNA at the Lach Tray Stadium. SLNA are without Phi Son, Quoc Hai,Sy Sam, Dinh Hoang & leading scorer Odat Marshal . Hai Phòng will be at full strength. SLNA’s last win against Hai Phong was 5-2 back in 2014 and their hosts have only lost once all season at home, while SLNA have only won twice on the road all season.
Previous result: SLNA 0-2 Hai Phong (Xuan Hung x2)
Leading scorers: Le Van Thanh (HP) 10, Dinh Bao (HP) 10. Odah Marshall (SLNA) 10
Hai Phong will win the title if….Hai Phòng win and Hanoi T&T lose or draw. Even if Hanoi win Hai Phòng can still take the title if they can surpass T&T’s superior goal difference. Eg. A 5-0 win will secure the title even if T&T win 1-0. A draw will also be enough if T&T lose and Danang fail to win.
Dong Thap v Da Nang @ Cao Lãnh stadium, 4.30pm
Danang will be expected to comfortably beat already relegated Dong Tháp, especially with the league’s leading scorer Gaston Merlo. Dong Tháp have not kept a clean sheet all season and secured just one victory all year.
Previous result: Danang 2-1 Dong Thap
Leading scorers: Merlo (DN) 21, Samson (DT) 6.
Danang will win the title if…. Danang will win the title with a win if both Hai Phòng and T&T lose or draw. A draw will secure the title if Hai Phong lose and T&T lose by more than 4 goals.
Sanna Khánh Hòa v Than Quảng Ninh @ 19/8 Stadium
After last weeks’ agonising defeat at home to T&T, Quang Ninh’s chances for a maiden title are all but over. They travel to 7th place Khanh Hoa where they will come up against the impressive Nigerian striker Uche, who has 13 league goals so far this season. Khanh Hoa have the ability to raise their game at home, having beaten T&T, Hai Phong and Danang this season at the 19/8 Stadium.
Previous result: Quang Ninh 1-2 Khanh Hoa (Hải Huy . Uche & Văn Triền)
Leading scorers: Dyachenko (QN) 12. Uche (KH) 13
Quang Ninh will win the league if …. a minor miracle occurs. Quang Ninh must win and need all three teams above them to lose and to overturn a 5 goal deficit on T&T in the process
The games can be streamed live at youtube.com/user/Vpfmedia
Enjoy!
Here’s a roundup of what happened last week:
Vietnam Football 