Tran Tien
Football Tribe Vietnam
Hanoi FC will host Ho Chi Minh City this weekend as the top spot decider match in Hang Day Stadium. But, the defending champions will not have the support from fans in the stands as they serve the ban to play one match at the closed door.
This ban is the result of last weekend’s match when Hai Phong met Hanoi, also at the Hang Day Stadium. The visiting Hai Phong supporters lit up the stands with flares, making life difficult for other spectators and the players.
Without the support from the fans, Hanoi FC will face difficulties in the match against the league leader as some of the important players like Pham Duc Huy and Brandon McDonald are still suffering from injuries, and can’t play in this match.
The visitors come to this match with an unbeaten run, and maintain the top spot of the league, two points above their weekend opponents. However, they will play the match without two key players: Ngo Hoang Thinh and Matias Jadue – both suffering from injury.
Elsewhere, third-placed team Song Lam Nghe An will be looking for another home win when they face relegation contenders Nam Dinh. Meanwhile, the last placed team Thanh Hoa will face a difficult trip to face Hoang Anh Gia Lai.