LS V.League 1: Waiting for thrilling results of stage 1

After round 12 of stage 1 of the 2021 LS V.League 1 (taking place on May 2), Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Viettel have ensured a place in the top six teams of group A (group of six teams competing for the championship). Meanwhile, the other teams still need to battle for the four remaining places with stage 1 having only one round left.

 

Both Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Viettel kept their unbeaten streak alive in round 12. However, the fact that Viettel earned three points in their away match against SHB Da Nang and Hoang Anh Gia Lai had a draw at their home ground made the competition for the 2021 LS V.League 1 championship between these two favorites unpredictable. The win in round 11 lifted Hoang Anh Gia Lai five points clear of defending champions Viettel, but this gap was reduced to three in round 12 and will probably be filled in the last round (taking place this weekend) if Hoang Anh Gia Lai are not careful enough. In the 2-2 draw with Becamex Binh Duong at the home ground, Hoang Anh Gia Lai showed problems in their defense. Therefore, it is too early to predict whether Hoang Anh Gia Lai can retain their unbeaten run and raise the championship trophy or not, especially with a competitive Viettel chasing closely in second place. 

 

 

 

Among seven matches of round 12, Viettel was the only away team winning. They conceded an early goal in the match with SHB Da Nang, but they leveled and came from behind with a late winning goal in the added time. In this match, the visitors Viettel didn’t play better than the hosts, but their play put some pressure on their opponents, which helped them to win the match. 

 

Results of round 12:   Ho Chi Minh City 3-0 Hai Phong; Binh Dinh 1-1Than Quang Ninh; Dong A Thanh Hoa 1-0 Song Lam Nghe An; Hong Linh Ha Tinh 3-2 Nam Dinh; Hoang Anh Gia Lai 2-2 Becamex Binh Duong; SHB Da Nang 1-2 Viettel; Hanoi 3-1 Saigon.

The two favorites to win this year’s LS V.League 1 championship, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Viettel, have created a big point gap with the teams below, who are in a tense competition for the remaining four positions of group A. The teams from third-placed Than Quang Ninh to ninth-placed SHB Da Nang still have an opportunity in this competition. Although Than Quang Ninh are third with 19 points, they only have one to three points more than their opponents namely Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Becamex Binh Duong, Hanoi, Binh Dinh and SHB Da Nang. In the last round of stage 1, Than Quang Ninh will meet Hoang Anh Gia Lai; Nam Dinh will face SHB Da Nang; Dong A Thanh Hoa will meet Saigon; Becamex Binh Duong will play Ho Chi Minh City; Hanoi will face Song Lam Nghe An; Topenland Binh Dinh will play Hai Phong. The four remaining teams of group A will be decided after thrilling round 13. 

 

Meanwhile, the relegation battle among the teams from seventh-placed Hanoi (16 points) to penultimate-placed Saigon (13th position on 13 points) is expected to be a tough competition because the point gaps between them are not big.

 

An Nhien

Translated by H.N