(GLO)- After a 1-month break, V.League 2023 will return with the highly anticipated match between Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) and Dong A Thanh Hoa taking place at 5:00 p.m. on May 19 at Pleiku Stadium. This is an opportunity for the Mountain City team to demonstrate their mettle as well as decode the Dong A Thanh Hoa phenomenon.
After 7 rounds of V.League 2023, it is not Hanoi, Topenland Binh Dinh or Viettel holding the top spot on the rankings, but instead Dong A Thanh Hoa - a team that is considered average when only ranked 8th in the 2022 season. Notably, in the Thanh team's squad, there is not even a player who has been selected for the national team or is considered a "star" at the present time.
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HAGL players (right cover) have the opportunity to decode the phenomenon of this year's season. Photo: LVN |
In preparation for the 2023 season, Dong A Thanh Hoa did not attract attention in the transfer market when only bringing in unknown names such as: Lam Ti Phong (Ho Chi Minh City), Hoang Thai Binh (Hai Phong). The two Brazilian foreign players are not "A-list stars" for other teams to pursue. So what has created a completely transformed team after the first 7 matches of the tournament? Perhaps the most important thing is the decisiveness of the team's leadership with the motto "strong because of rice, bold because of money" when recruiting the head coach of U22 Myanmar - Mr. Popov and his associates.
Taking office at the end of 2022, the Bulgarian strategist quickly caught up with Vietnamese football. Taking over a mid-range team, but with the ability to unite the players, read the game, and read the opponent well, Coach Popov turned Dong A Thanh Hoa into a cohesive team. After 7 matches, they won 5, drew 2 with 17 points, ranking first on the rankings. The defense is one of the highlights with 4 clean sheets and the record of conceding the fewest goals with 5 goals. On the attack, Bruno is in the top 3 scorers with 5 goals. The Thanh team also has a strong attack, ranked only behind Hanoi Police.
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Coach Kiatisak has 1 month to revive his players after the loss to Song Lam Nghe An. Photo: Van Ngoc |
In contrast to the rise of Dong A Thanh Hoa, HAGL has shown a rather erratic performance. They were able to defeat Viettel right at Hang Day with a resounding score of 4-1 but could also draw 1-1 with the newly promoted team Khanh Hoa right at their home ground Pleiku. Before Song Lam Nghe An, they had not had a single victory, and coach Kiatisak's team was also defeated with a score of 1-3. At the end of the first stage, HAGL only had 8 points after 7 rounds and temporarily ranked 8th.
After the defeat at Vinh Stadium, the Mountain City team had a month of rest to prepare for welcoming Dong A Thanh Hoa. During the past time, the sadness at Vinh Stadium has certainly lessened. More than that, Coach Kiatisak welcomed the return of key players. Ngoc Quang finished his suspension, and Minh Vuong has also recovered from his injury and is ready to play. The Thai coach's only concern is the case of young striker Quoc Viet being injured in Cambodia.
Facing the team in the No. 1 position, HAGL must have reasonable tactics and tactics as the underdog. In Coach Kiatisak's football philosophy, he is willing to ask his players to play pragmatically to achieve their goals. For example, in the 2021 V.League season, HAGL did not focus too much on controlling the game but won many victories from defensive counterattacks. The only 3-point match of this season was the same, when they were rated much lower than Viettel at Hang Day. The Mountain City team is ready to create a breakthrough when they are in the "underdog position".
Along with that, the home field advantage with the cheers of the audience is also a support to help HAGL players be more passionate in every phase of the ball. The history of confrontation between the two teams also brings confidence to the home team at Pleiku. In the last 5 matches between the two teams in the V.League arena, Mr. Duc's team won 4 matches and drew 1 match. Therefore, the away trip to Pho Nui in round 8 of V.League 2023 this time is certainly not easy for coach Popov's team.
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