The final day of the V.League presented two major clashes between teams sitting neck-to-neck in the table, with the winners of both respective matches benefitting massively from the result.
Firstly, AFC Cup chasers Sanna Khanh Hoa took on FLC Thanh Hoa in the race for the second place behind champions Hanoi FC. Sanna were looking to build upon their excellent run to the final of the 2017 Mekong Club Championship with an appearance on the continental stage in 2019.
Their hopes suffered a setback this weekend, as they were beaten 1-0, courtesy of a 12th minute goal by Thanh Hoa’s Rimario Gordon.
However, the Southern Vietnamese side still have a chance of qualifying for the 2019 AFC Cup, depending on the results of the domestic cup. Thanh Hoa have already booked their place in the final, meaning that a victory for Hanoi FC over Becamex Binh Duong in the other semi-final would secure Sanna’s place in the qualifying round for Asia’s secondary competition next season.
Elsewhere, Nam Dinh’s 1-1 draw against bottom side Can Tho means that they retain their hopes of survival, qualifying for the relegation playoff. They are set to take on Hanoi B in the fight to stay in the division.