Before the final round of Group B, the V-League 2023 relegation race, SHB Da Nang is the weakest team, standing at the bottom of the rankings with 11 points, 3 points behind two direct competitors, Becamex Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City Club (both 14 points). No matter how much the Han River team defeats Khanh Hoa FC, it will be meaningless if the match at the same time at Thong Nhat Stadium ends in a draw.

To stay in the league, SHB Da Nang needs to beat Khanh Hoa FC; at the same time, Becamex Binh Duong needs to beat Ho Chi Minh City FC. Then, coach Pham Minh Duc and his team will stay in the V-League thanks to a better goal difference. Even though they have a goal difference of (-4) and 14 points, Becamex Binh Duong can still be relegated if they lose heavily to Ho Chi Minh City FC, and at the same time, SHB Da Nang needs to beat Khanh Hoa FC.

Becamex Binh Duong has many advantages to stay in V-League. Photo: VPF

Many fans have asked whether Becamex Binh Duong will draw with Ho Chi Minh City FC according to the “script”? In response to the above concerns, coach Le Huynh Duc declared that Becamex Binh Duong would not be foolish enough to “shake hands” with Ho Chi Minh City FC and would play a fair match.

Who would believe the above statement of Coach Le Huynh Duc? Because he was born in Ho Chi Minh City, he helped SHB Da Nang win the V-League twice, the National Cup once in 2009 and the National Super Cup in 2012. Especially on social networks in the past few days, a famous person in the country's football world shared: "Ho Chi Minh City Club and Becamex Binh Duong helped each other stay in the league. SHB Da Nang was relegated for a spectacularly surprising reason."

Vietnamese football has been professional for more than two decades and during that time there have been many sad stories related to collusion and match-fixing. Because of match-fixing, many talents have been given suspended prison sentences, ruining their entire careers. Because of collusion, some clubs have brought negative images, causing domestic football fans to lose faith in the tournament.

Whether it was negative or not, the recent match between Nam Dinh Blue Steel and Hanoi Police FC left many negative echoes. Before the match, the Nam Dinh team ranked 5th and still had a chance to compete for the 2023 V-League championship. However, coach Vu Hong Viet did not field his strongest squad and there were "abnormal" signs in the goals conceded, leading to a 1-2 defeat at Thien Truong home stadium. Nam Dinh fans reacted strongly. They left, threw things, burned shirts and threatened to boycott the team. On August 3, the V-League Organizing Committee had to send a letter reminding Nam Dinh Blue Steel of their playing attitude. Most recently, because of losing faith in their team, the Nam Dinh Football Supporters Association announced its dissolution and will no longer participate in football support activities.

If Becamex Binh Duong “joins hands” with Ho Chi Minh City Club, Vietnamese football will have a bad reputation, and who will believe in the fairness of V-League? After the lesson of Nam Dinh Steel Blue, Coach Le Huynh Duc affirmed that no club would be foolish enough to do that. Becamex Binh Duong will play with all their might, and let the experts decide whether to win or lose.

Both Becamex Binh Duong and SHB Da Nang are two big brands in Vietnamese football. Any team that has to play in the First Division next season will be a shock for fans. Even Ho Chi Minh City Club, a newly emerging force in recent seasons due to its strong finances, is trying to salvage a forgettable season. Any team that is relegated is regretful, but that does not mean we will allow any negative behavior on the field. Football is first and foremost to serve the entertainment needs of fans and all matches must be carried out in accordance with the spirit of V-League and national football, which is "honest and noble".

We believe that Becamex Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City Club will give fans a fair and dramatic match, similar to the expectation of the "reverse final" of V-League 2023.

HOAI PHUONG

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