The following are five talking points from the latest V.League action.
Quang Nam FC relegated from V.League 1
Quang Nam FC (in blue) could not avoid relegation despite their victory against Hai Phong FC.
Quang Nam FC have been relegated from V.League 1 after seven seasons despite managing to secure a 4-2 win against Hai Phong FC on Saturday.
The victory brought Nguyen Thanh Cong’s side level with Nam Dinh FC on 18 points, but it was not enough to rescue the 2017 title holders from bottom place as they had an inferior goal difference to Nam Dinh (-13 vs -11).
Viettel FC retain V.League grip after Hanoi FC draw
Viettel FC still retained their right to self-determination in the V.League 1 title race after holding reigning champions Hanoi FC to a goalless draw in their capital derby on October 29.
Both teams created several opportunities to score, but the brilliant display of the two goalkeepers prevented any of them from successfully being converted before the final whistle. The result has left Viettel two points clear of their city rivals, allowing them to remain the odds-on favourites for the overall crown, with just two games left to go this season.
Saigon FC light up title hopes with crucial win
Saigon FC (R) have rekindled their title hopes with a convincing victory.
A brace by foreign striker Pedro drove Saigon FC past Quang Ninh Coal 2-0 to move up second in the table, only one point adrift of leaders Viettel FC, making their title hopes brighter than ever.
In their remaining two matches, Vu Tien Thanh’s side will have direct meetings with title favourites Viettel and Hanoi. These will be the chances for them to surpass the two representatives of the capital to lift this year’s championship trophy.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai slump to fifth consecutive defeat
Hoang Anh Gia Lai (in white) have gone five matches without earning a single point.
Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) continued to show poor form in the second phase of V.League 1 with a 1-2 loss against Ho Chi Minh City on October 30, their fifth defeat in a row.
In the last round of the first phase, HAGL demolished HCM City 5-2 to break into the top eight contenders for the title in phase 2; however, since then, they have failed to earn a single point. The Friday meeting with HCM City was considered an opportunity for Nguyen Van Dan’s troops to improve their performance, but the waste of chances forced them to extend their losing run.
Hai Phong FC – the only empty-handed hosts
The latest V.League action saw Hai Phong FC as the only empty-handed hosts following their 2-4 defeat against bottom-placed Quang Nam. Among the remaining home sides, only two bagged the full three points (Saigon FC, HCM City), while four others had to share points with their visitors (Viettel, B. Binh Duong, SHB Da Nang and Song Lam Nghe An).
The result, however, counted for nothing as Hai Phong FC had successfully safeguarded their V.League berths in the previous round of play.
