Gia Lai HAGL is at risk of having to compete for relegation in the second phase of V-League 2023, but according to coach Kiatisuk, creating a playground for young players is more important than achievements.
Held to a 0-0 draw at home by the second-to-last team, Ho Chi Minh City, HAGL is stuck in ninth place with 14 points after 12 matches, two points behind Nam Dinh, who are above them. In the final round of the first phase, HAGL must win when visiting Binh Dinh and wait for the opponents above them to stumble. Therefore, the chance for Kiatisuk and his team to enter the top 8 and compete for the championship in the second phase is considered low.
However, coach Kiatisuk appeared calm about the current situation. According to him, even if they were to be outside the top 8 and have to drop down to the relegation group in the second phase after round 13, HAGL would not consider it a failure.
"This season, I used many young players, because the team's goal is to train a new generation to replace the previous generation," the Thai coach said after the draw with Ho Chi Minh City. "We also consider promoting young players to play in the V-League, so that Mr. Duc does not have to buy players and save money, as an initial success."
Midfielder Chau Ngoc Quang (right) dribbles past a Ho Chi Minh City player. He is one of the young faces promoted by HAGL to become a mainstay in the first team in V-League 2023. Photo: Minh Tran
Returning to the match in Pleiku today, HAGL dominated the game, with nine shots, but only one was on target. However, Kiatisuk did not blame his players. He said: "As a former striker, I understand this difficulty. There may be many opportunities and they may look easy, but players cannot always score. That is football, we have to accept and fight until the last minute. Anyway, the draw is satisfactory for both teams."
Meanwhile, a point earned in Pleiku still hasn't helped Ho Chi Minh City FC escape the danger zone. But in a losing situation, coach Vu Tien Thanh considers the 0-0 draw lucky. He said: "We are very lucky to have a point. This is the first match since the beginning of the tournament that Ho Chi Minh City has not conceded a goal. That shows that the defense has improved, and the team will continue to make efforts for the next matches."
With eight points, Ho Chi Minh City is definitely out of the top 8 and will compete to avoid relegation in the second stage. In round 13, they will return home to host Viettel on July 2.
Dong Huyen
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