Five out of six home teams won their games, Binh Duong stayed atop the standings and red cards handed out to favourite players were some notable events of Toyota V-League 1-2015 Round 19 last weekend.
Five out of six home teams won their games, Binh Duong stayed atop the standings and red cards handed out to favourite players were some notable events of Toyota V-League 1-2015 Round 19 last weekend.
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| Hai Phong (red) are among the five home teams to win their home games during Toyota V-League 1-2015 Round 19 last weekend. |
1. The round of home teams
No home team suffered a loss, with five out of six home teams scoring a win in this round. While Dong Tam Long An, Hai Phong and QNK Quang Nam bagged a 2-0 win each; FLC Thanh Hoa beat Song Lam Nghe An 2-1 and Becamex Binh Duong trounced XSKT Can Tho 4-1. Although not able to earn a win at home, one point in a clash with Hanoi T&T was considered a success for Dong Nai.
2. Two-horse race atop the standings
After two consecutive losses to Sanna Khanh Hoa and Hoang Anh Gia Lai, defending champion Binh Duong recorded an impressive comeback by winning their 2nd game in a row. This round, coach Mai Duc Chung’s players won three points by defeating Can Tho 4-1. Thanh Hoa also defeated Nghe An 2-1 to continue chasing Binh Duong atop the standings. With a distance of only one point, the two-horse race for the title between the two certainly will be more dramatic.
3. The stumble of the No. 1 team
Prior to the 19th round, Hanoi T&T have had eight consecutive unbeaten matches, with seven wins. At this year’s V-League, coach Phan Thanh Hung’s players have had a chain of six unbeaten games, including five wins. The Hanoi team are even considered the No. 1 rival for the championship title currently held by Binh Duong. However, facing Dong Nai, T&T disappointed their fans with a goalless draw.
4. Dong Tam Long An – slowly but surely
Long An are not a favourite this season, being placed in a group of teams in danger of relegation. However, thanks to the performance by duo Huynh Ngoc San and Ngo Quang Sang in the training crew, the team are playing well with a great mix between the veteran generation of Tai Em, Quang Thanh, and Chi Cong and a talented group of young players, including Phan Tan Tai. After a 2-0 victory in Round 19 over Khanh Hoa, they climbed to 4th place, 18 points ahead of the relegation contenders.
5. Red cards for favourite players
Round 19 was an upsetting one for young fans as several favourite players received red cards. On Saturday, Hanoi T&T tied with Dong Nai with top talent Do Duy Manh receiving a red card. On Sunday afternoon, midfielder Pham Manh Hung also left the pitch after receiving two yellow cards. Both teams recorded poor results with T&T playing below their ability, while Song Lam Nghe An went empty-handed.
