Teams seek good results ahead of Tet

Football clubs in the Super League are determined to get good results this weekend so they can fully enjoy the Lunar New Year.

But it seems that home teams have the upper hand before the two-week break for the Tet holiday.

Among four early games today, third-place Da Nang will take on second-place Hoang Anh Gia Lai at Chi Lang Stadium. It will be a tight game as both teams are in good form, but the home team will likely take full points.

Ha Noi football club, who lost both games and are rooted to bottom place, have a good opportunity to earn their first win as they host Khanh Hoa at Hang Day Stadium.

Despite playing against Binh Duong, Thanh Hoa are aiming for nothing but three points.

Kien Giang is probably in danger of losing points to Sai Gon football club, who are considered the favourites over the home team.

The most intriguing game of the round is between defending champions Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) and runners-up Ha Noi T&T tomorrow.

This is a rematch of last season's final match between two teams that saw SLNA drawing Ha Noi T&T to earn enough points to lift the trophy after 10 years.

"It is a very interesting match," Ha Noi T&T's coach, Phan Thanh Hung, said.

"We have the strongest line-up for the match and are ready to face SLNA. We will leave Vinh Stadium with at least one point to enjoy a joyful Tet holiday," Hung said.

Hai Phong, who have had a stuttering start, will have a good chance to bag their first win as they face Dong Thap.

The Mekong Delta-based team significantly lost its strength after the departure of goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong, striker Samson Kayode and coach Pham Cong Loc, key factors in the club's success in recent years.

Navibank Sai Gon are favourites over Ninh Binh, who has won just one point, and are in the bottom area

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Ha Noi T&T stay top after Binh Duong own goal

Flying: Striker Nguyen Van Quyet (right) of Ha Noi T&T gets away from Becamex Binh Duong midfielder Huynh Quang Thanh during their Super League match at Ha Noi Stadium. T&T won 1-0. — VNS Photo Quang Thang

HA NOI — An own-goal by Becamex Binh Duong's goalkeeper Dinh Hoang La resulted in victory for Ha Noi T&T yesterday in the second round match of the Super-League.

La performed perfectly in the first 20 minutes of the first half by stopping a flurry of shots by the host including a threatening kick by Gonzalo Marronkle in the 13th minute.

However the former goalie for Ninh Binh was unable to maintain form under the consecutive attacks. His big mistake came when he was startled with a smart cross-pass by T&T's striker Nguyen Van Quyet which landed in the net in the 23rd minute.

Despite its home turf advantage, T&T failed to rally for most of the match and it was Binh Duong who mastered the second half.

National team members Nguyen Vu Phong and Nguyen Viet Thang, along with foreigner Udo Fortune were given opportunities to score but keeper Duong Hong Son on the T&T side held his edge. The freezing weather certainly did nothing to give the southern opponents an advantage.

As the match was nearing its end, T&T's Samson Kayode Olaleye had the chance to double the score but he failed to overcome keeper La who was ready and alert.

It was the host's second win, giving them six points after two matches. Binh Duong are in sixth place with one win and one loss.

In the other matches yesterday, Thanh Hoa drew 0-0 with former champion SHB Da Nang while Khatoco Khanh Hoa flattened Ninh Binh 4-0.

Four matches were played on Saturday. Hai Phong vs Navibank Sai Gon and Sai Gon FC vs two-time champion Hoang Anh Gia Lai both ended in 1-1 draws.

The defending champion beat Dong Thap 1-0 while Kien Giang defeated Ha Noi FC 3-2. — VNS

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