Giving it your all on the brink of life and death.

THE GROUP BATTLE IS HEATING UP

The fact that VPF scheduled all 7 matches with 14 teams playing simultaneously shows how crucial the final round of the first phase is, because after that, the V-League 2023 will split into a group of 8 top teams competing for the championship and 6 bottom teams battling to avoid relegation. The most intense area will be the middle of the table, with 5 teams SLNA, HAGL, Nam Dinh , Binh Dinh, and Hai Phong teetering on the brink of relegation. SLNA, ranked 10th (13 points), is only 3 points behind Hai Phong, ranked 6th (16 points), equivalent to one win. This means that if SLNA and HAGL both win, they could push 1-2 teams above them to take a spot in the top 8.

Vòng 13 V-League 2023: Dốc hết sức giữa lằn ranh sinh tử - Ảnh 1. — Binh Duong Club (right) will have a crucial match against Nam Dinh.

It's a truly life-or-death race, as the result of the match could determine the head coach's future. For a team like Nam Dinh, which receives significant investment, failing to reach the top 8 would be a failure. Six years ago, the head coach of this club, Vu Hong Viet, led the Vietnam U15 team to victory against Thailand on their home ground, winning the Southeast Asian championship.

Vòng 13 V-League 2023: Dốc hết sức giữa lằn ranh sinh tử - Ảnh 2. — Coach Huynh Duc faces a major challenge.

At this point, Coach Viet will need that away-game knack to secure at least one point against Binh Duong FC and guarantee a place in the top 8. The clash between Binh Dinh (7th place) and HAGL (9th place) at Quy Nhon Stadium is also very tense, as HAGL will do everything to win to avoid relegation, while the home team could lose and be replaced by their opponent. SLNA is also determined to win, but this is no easy task as they have to play away at Hang Day Stadium, on the day Hanoi FC debuts Serbian striker Milan Jevtovic, who has played in the Champions League in Europe.

NARROW DOOR FOR REGIONAL TEAMS

Coincidentally, all three teams currently facing relegation are playing against teams above them who are desperate for points. Coach Pham Minh Duc's Da Nang FC must make the most of their home advantage because their opponent is league leaders Hanoi Police (CAHN), who are in excellent form. CAHN's attack has scored 8 goals in their last two matches. After two draws, perhaps even a point against a title contender would be enough to satisfy Coach Pham Minh Duc, although this charismatic coach will undoubtedly be secretly preparing a killer move for new signing Lucas from Hanoi FC.

Vòng 13 V-League 2023: Dốc hết sức giữa lằn ranh sinh tử - Ảnh 3. — Da Nang FC faces difficulties.

Also at home, Ho Chi Minh City FC will host Viettel FC, who welcome back striker Jeferson alongside Abouelella Sabe. Viettel FC is gradually reviving with a streak of 2 wins and 1 draw in their last 3 matches and is aiming for a top 3 finish in V-League 2023. The fact that the 2020 champions have all three of their foreign players back will pose a significant challenge for coach Vu Tien Thanh. However, Ho Chi Minh City FC has a positive psychological advantage after the impressive return of center-back Brendon.

Coach Le Huynh Duc's situation is much more difficult as he has had 5 consecutive draws (4) and losses (1). The fact that Binh Duong has not tasted victory after 12 rounds further puts pressure on the players' legs. In this situation, it is not ruled out that the team from Binh Duong will play "all out," attacking with all their might to get all 3 points, especially since midfielder Olsen - who was once Coach Duc's student at Saigon FC - is integrating very well. But as mentioned above, this match is also crucial for Coach Vu Hong Viet. And regardless of the scenario and result, the fact that both coaches have no way back will make the match in Binh Duong extremely tense and worth watching.

THE GROUP BATTLE IS HEATING UP

NARROW DOOR FOR REGIONAL TEAMS

V-League 2023 Round 13 Fixtures (all at 5 PM)

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