Five talking points from V.League 2019 Matchday 22

* V.League: HCM City foster title hopes with 2-1 win against SLNA

* V.League: Saigon FC push Thanh Hoa into danger zone

* V.League: Quang Nam cruise to top three after 4-2 win against Khanh Hoa

Here following are the five talking points from the weekend’s V.League action.

HCM City keep title hopes alive with second win in a row

HCM City (in red) are now only two points behind Hanoi FC. (Photo: VPF)

With Hanoi FC’s Matchday 22 game being delayed due to their AFC Cup schedule, HCM City took the chance to reduce their gap with the title-race leaders to only two points, thus continuing to foster their hopes of competing for the V.League crown.

However, in order to realise the long-lasting dream, Chung Hae-seong’s side will have no other choice but to win all the four remaining matches, and hope for a slip of the foot from their opponents.

Sanna Khanh Hoa closer to First Division

After two successive wins, Sanna Khanh Hoa (in yellow) have been back to their poor form. (Photo: VPF)

Khanh Hoa’s hopes of avoiding relegation had been ignited following two successive wins against HCM City (Matchday 19) and SHB Da Nang (Matchday 20), but were shattered once again due to their consecutive defeats over the last two weekends. Their inconsistency has kept Vo Dinh Tan’s side rooted at rock bottom, five points behind penultimate-placed Thanh Hoa and six adrift of Hoang Anh Gia Lai at third from bottom.

If such disappointing form remains unchanged on the next matchday, it is highly possible that Khanh Hoa will have to play in the First Division tournament next season.

Thanh Hoa FC’s nightmare extended

Thanh Hoa FC (in yellow) have now gone five games without earning a point. (Photo: VPF)

Thanh Hoa FC continue to fall deeper into crisis with their fifth consecutive defeat last weekend. The latest 0-2 loss against Saigon FC has pushed Mai Xuan Hop’s troops down to second from bottom with 25 points.

If they fail to escape the position at the end of the season, Thanh Hoa will have to play the relegation playoff match, and their hopes of retaining a V.League place next season will only be a 50-50 chance.

Quang Nam FC maintain flying form

Quang Nam FC (in blue) have rediscovered the brilliant form that helped them win the V.League trophy two years ago. (Photo: VPF)

Quang Nam FC may be the most impressive V.League performer over recent times, as they have climbed from the 13^th position for fourth place with successive victories. Regarding August alone, Vu Hong Viet’s side have clinched the full 12 points against tough opponents, including HCM City. Perhaps, the 2017 champions now do not need to worry about the battle for a V.League place next season, but to look towards the goal of wrapping up the season in the top ten.

Hoang Vu Samson towards a ‘top-scorer’ hat-trick

Hoang Vu Samson is leading the V.League's scoring leaderboard with 13 goals. (Photo: VPF)

By scoring against Sanna Khanh Hoa last weekend, Quang Nam FC striker Hoang Vu Samson has climbed to top of the 2019 V.League’s scoring leaderboard with 13 goals, one clear of Pape Omar Faye (Hanoi FC).

Samson’s brilliant form is one of the factors contributing to the recovery of the 2017 champions from the second leg. If maintaining his current scoring frequency, Samson is quite capable of establishing a ‘top-scorer’ hat-trick in V.League history, following his previous golden boots in 2013 and 2014.