Binh Dinh Club (blue) made the defending champion CAHN have a draw.
Perhaps before the first round of V-League 2023 - 2024 took place, few people dared to think that the team that fought for relegation until the last minute of last season like Ho Chi Minh City Club would comfortably sit at the top of the rankings. Facing the opponent Khanh Hoa, who once considered Thong Nhat Stadium a treasure trove of points, winning 4 out of the last 5 meetings, Ho Chi Minh City Club showed a very different face.
Quality additions such as Minh Tung, Ngoc Duc, Ha Long, Thanh Thao... along with the striker pair Timite Cheick and Ntep De Madiba, alongside the mainstays Patrick Le Giang, Brendon Lucas, Tung Quoc... have helped the "Red Battleship" play become much better in quality and organization.
In addition, having 2 new sponsors has helped Ho Chi Minh City Club secure additional funding to help them feel much more secure for the long race this season.
Despite losing 0-2 at Thong Nhat Stadium, Khanh Hoa Club did not play badly. They even had a more dominant performance in the first half thanks to the excellence of central defender Sesay Alie and two potential strikers Mamadou and Landy with their quick physique and stride.
Coach Vu Tien Thanh encourages central defender Minh Tung
The difficulties have gradually passed thanks to the strong intervention of the provincial leaders, helping Khanh Hoa Club continue to play in the V-League. In fact, their playing style is still quite unique, thanks to the strong motivation to play well to keep the fire of football burning in the locality.
The two stories of the match taking place at Thong Nhat Stadium on the night of October 23 are just part of the attractive and surprising picture in the opening match series of V-League 2023 - 2024.
Few people expected that SLNA, after saying goodbye to a series of key players, could play so well, creating a lot of turmoil for Viettel Club - the team that clung to Hanoi Police Club (CAHN) until the last minute in the championship race last season.
On the field, young coach Phan Nhu Thuat launched a super young main squad with 7 names born after 2001, including midfielder Nam Hai, who is only 19 years old, and Van Bach, who has just turned 20 years old.
VAR is leaving a strong mark after round 1
The starting lineup with an average age of 23.5 (the entire SLNA team has an average age of 22.8) shocked the 2020 V-League champion. Despite being behind early (Duc Chien scored in the 8th minute), they rose strongly, equalizing 1-1 thanks to Olaha, creating many opportunities against a much higher rated opponent.
A point at Vinh Stadium against the strong army and generals of Viettel Club is truly invaluable for coach Phan Nhu Thuat and his team, helping them to be confident and determined to stick with their strategy of investing in young blood.
Or like the fact that Binh Dinh Club at Hang Day Stadium made the defending champion "go up and down the field" to see that if they know how to promote their internal strength, this team is still very formidable.
It took a lot of luck, and thanks to VAR, for coach Tran Tien Dai and his team to snatch a point at the end of the match, avoiding a blank match on the opening day. Let's wait and see if that will help awaken the pride of this ambitious team or not?
Ho Chi Minh City Club unexpectedly leads round 1 of V-League 2023-2024
A new name in this year's football season, rookie Quang Nam also had an impressive debut in the V-League 2023 - 2024, when they held the rich Nam Dinh to a 1-1 draw until the last minute of injury time. Although they lost the match due to a penalty kick due to VAR intervention, we must praise the way the team, which had just been promoted from the first division, controlled the match, even though they had to play away at the "fire pan" Thien Truong.
Also in the first round, VAR had to operate at full capacity, supporting the referee to make decisions that completely changed the situation and results of the match. There are still controversies about the method, accuracy... of VAR. But in the conditions of Vietnam, applying this technology is a great effort of those working in football.
VAR is not a magic wand, but it helps make matches more transparent and is a powerful assistant to help referees reduce more pressure in the V-League 2023 - 2024 season, which promises to be very attractive and unpredictable.
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