After the first eight matchdays of V.League 2020, Saigon FC are on top of the table with 16 points, two clear of second-placed Ho Chi Minh (HCM) City. This result has come as a big surprise to everyone as Vu Tien Thanh’s side had not been highly lauded ahead of the tournament.
Such an amazing streak has also helped Saigon FC extend their unbeaten run from 2019 to 10 consecutive matches, climbing to second in the list of teams with the longest undefeated run, alongside Thanh Hoa FC, who attained the feat last season. Saigon FC have a good chance to break the 14-game all-time unbeaten record currently held by defending champions Hanoi FC.
However, to realise that goal, the title frontrunners will have to get past a big challenger, Thanh Hoa FC. Saigon FC likely not fear Thanh Hoa’s power. What worries manager Vu Tien Thanh the most is that his Thanh Hoa FC colleague, Nguyen Thanh Cong, took charge of Saigon FC last season, thus thoroughly understanding the team.
Since replacing Fabio Lopez as manager of Thanh Hoa FC, Nguyen Thanh Cong has helped the central team revive from their disappointing start by bagging 10 points in four games before losing to SHB Da Nang last matchday.
In theory, Thanh Hoa FC will have a mountain to climb this weekend as they play away against in-form Saigon FC. It is obvious that the guests are under great pressure confronting the title race leaders. However, as the former Saigon manager, Cong fully comprehends the team’s strong and weak points, and this will be the foundation for Thanh Hoa FC to hope for a positive result at Thong Nhat Stadium.
A unbeaten run of 14 games is a big challenge for Saigon FC to conquer. The opportunity for Vu Tien Thanh’s troops to break Hanoi FC’s record is relatively high as the competition schedule is in their favour. Over the last five matches of V.League 2020’s phase one, Saigon FC will play three at home and two away, hosting Thanh Hoa FC (Matchday 9) and Nam Dinh FC (Matchday 10), travelling to Quang Nam FC (Matchday 12) and Viettel FC (Matchday 13), and returning home for their last match against Quang Ninh FC (Matchday 14).
Given their recent unstable run, Ho Chi Minh City are predicted to have a tough away match against Quang Ninh Coal. Captain Van Thuan is still uncertain to appear due to injury, while midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh is serving a one-match suspension as a result of three yellow cards.
Ho Chi Minh City players look disappointed after losing 1-2 against Becamex Binh Duong at home on Matchday 8.
The good news is that midfielder Vo Huy Toan has recovered from injury and is expected to make the starting lineup, helping increase HCM City’s attacking power, especially necessary considering Quang Ninh Coal usually perform well at home.
Despite demonstrating flying form in the first five matchdays of the season, Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) have conceded consecutive defeats in their last three games, dropping to ninth place with only 11 points. Given that fact, Ngo Quang Truong’s side are now hungry for a win to end their poor run and get back into the title race.
However, SLNA will not have their strongest squad for the home match against V.League newbies Hong Linh Ha Tinh this July 12, as in-form midfielder Dang Van Lam is suspended after three yellow cards.
Hong Linh Ha Tinh, meanwhile, will bring their full squad to Vinh Stadium; however, three-points is not likely for Pham Minh Duc’s troops as they have gone five straight matches without a victory.
In the other clashes of Matchday 9, reigning champions Hanoi FC, currently ranked eighth, will travel to SHB Da Nang with the compulsory mission of securing a win to foster any hopes of bringing their title defence ambition back on track. Meanwhile, Becamex Binh Duong, Viettel FC and Nam Dinh FC will play host against Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Hai Phong FC and Quang Nam FC, respectively.
