Hoang Anh Gia Lai now a strong force

A close one: Hoang Thanh Tung of Hoang Anh Gia Lai (left) escapes from Becamex Binh Duong's players during their V.League 1 match on Sunday. Hoang Anh Gia Lai will play hosts Da Nang at the 18th round match tomorrow. — Photo sggp.org.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — The coach of SHB Da Nang has said Hoang Anh Gia Lai will pose a big challenge to his team in their 18th round V.League 1 match tomorrow.

“Hoang Anh Gia Lai are flying high after their win, so it will be a difficult match for us,” said Le Huynh Duc.

“They will fight strongly as they face the risk of relegation. Their rivals Binh Duong have been going down recently, having many internal problems,” Duc said.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai enjoyed their third win of the season when they beat defending champions Becamex Binh Duong 2-1 on Sunday.

The victory boosted the confidence of the team of young players and they will bring it to Da Nang’s Chi Lang Stadium.

“We were lucky in that match, but actually it was a turning point for us. The win made us feel confident and told us how strong we were. When we play as a team, we can make a difference,” said Hoang Anh Gia Lai midfielder Bui Tien Dung.

“We will not be in difficulty if we play every match spiritedly.

Guillaueme Graechen has brought about a big change and created a good team. I hope I will be in the first team to play Da Nang,” said striker Nguyen Van Long.

According to coach Tran Minh Chien, Hoang Anh Gia Lai have changed their playing style. They now combine attacks and counter-attacks, long and short balls, making it a comprehensive style that can surprise any rival.

Veteran Le Thuy Hai agrees with Chien, and said the former champions knew how to defend and attack from the wings. They do not lean too much on their national players but put on the field potential substitutes, one of them (Hoang Thanh Tung) scored twice, Hai said.

He said it was a positive signal for the team.

Coach Duc, however, believes his side still have a chance when playing on home turf, although they are not in their best form.

Da Nang have problems in the midfield as Le Phuoc Vinh is injured, while the two substitutes, Mai Thanh Nam and Phong Thanh Trung, are not good enough to pair with Tran Hai Lam to take care of the area.

“The thick schedule has affected us badly. Many of the local players cannot do their job well. And the foreigners have not integrated yet; they still need time,” Duc said.

In the last round, Da Nang received a strong boost when they ended their three-loss run with a 2-1 win over Dong Nai.

“The win over Dong Nai is really important for us as we have not lost to them in the previous year. They are not a strong team but always create trouble for us. The victory lifted our spirits a lot,” he said.

The coach, however, said his players still made many mistakes and wasted goal-scoring chances. He has warned them but the shortcomings had not been rectified yet, he said.

In the first leg match, Hoang Anh Gia Lai won 1-0. — VNS

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