The match between Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) and Thanh Hoa is the most notable match of round 5. The home team is currently ranked 2nd on the rankings with 8 points. After 4 matches, they have 2 wins and 2 draws.
In round 4, coach Le Quang Trai's team had a 1-1 draw at Da Nang Stadium. This result was somewhat fortunate for HAGL as they were recognized as having an invalid goal. In addition, the Da Nang team also missed a penalty kick.
Meanwhile, Thanh Hoa topped the table with 9 points. After losing in the first round against Binh Duong, coach Velizar Popov's team won 3 consecutive matches against 3 tough teams: Hanoi Police, Hai Phong and Binh Dinh.
Thanh Hoa is the team with the strongest attack since the beginning of the tournament, with 9 goals scored. In terms of strength, they are rated higher than HAGL. However, the home team Pleiku has the most solid defense in the tournament, having only conceded 1 goal since the beginning of the tournament.
HAGL is not strong in the ability to impose their style of play on their opponents, however, they are very good at counter-attacking and lurking for opportunities. Since the beginning of the tournament, HAGL has met 3 opponents in the bottom half of the rankings. Therefore, the match against Thanh Hoa is a big challenge for HAGL, to test the strength and courage of Minh Vuong and his teammates.
Thanh Hoa meets its "nemesis"
In the past few years, Thanh Hoa has been the most stable team in V.League. They have won the National Cup for 2 consecutive years, and won 1 National Super Cup. The Thanh team is not afraid of any opponent, from Hanoi Police, Hanoi FC or Nam Dinh, The Cong Viettel.
However, HAGL is the opponent that makes Thanh Hoa the most uncomfortable. Since 2019, the mountain town team has been unbeaten in all 9 matches against Thanh Hoa, with 4 wins and 5 draws.
Even when coach Velizar Popov came to Thanh Hoa, turned the team into a force in the V.League, conquered 3 titles, he still could not help the team break the curse against HAGL. In 3 times meeting the team from the mountain town in the last 2 seasons, the Bulgarian strategist only had 2 draws and 1 loss.
Last season, Hoang Anh Gia Lai beat Thanh Hoa 2-1 away and had a 1-1 draw at home.
Expected lineup of 2 teams:
HAGL: Trung Kien, Jairo, Du Hoc, Ly Duc, Minh Vuong, Marciel, Ngoc Quang, Thanh Son, Bao Toan, Quang Nho, Elias.
Thanh Hoa: Xuan Hoang, Thanh Long, Viet Tu, Gustavo, Thai Binh, Ngoc Tan, Luiz Anronio, Thai Son, A Mit Van Thang, Yago.
