V-League: HAGL faces a super difficult schedule, the relegation race is arduous

HAGL has a very heavy schedule, having to face Hanoi FC, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC, Hanoi Police FC and PVF-CAND in the next 4 matches at V-League.

Difficult schedule for HAGL

After a 0-3 defeat against Becamex TP.HCM in the opening round, HAGL continues to face a "big mountain" in round 2 with an away match at Hang Day Stadium of Hanoi FC. The very heavy schedule in the early stages is creating challenges for the young team of coach Le Quang Trai.

With 6 players under 23 years old in the starting lineup, HAGL played on par with Becamex TP.HCM in the first half of the first round match at Pleiku Stadium. However, the limitation of youth lies in the lack of stability. HAGL could not maintain the intensity of play in the second half, and then collapsed before a more experienced and cunning opponent.

HAGL (orange shirt) lost 0-3 to Becamex TP.HCM in the opening round.

PHOTO: VPF

In round 2, HAGL will meet the current runner-up Hanoi. Last season, Phan Du Hoc and his teammates beat Hanoi 1-0 at Hang Day Stadium, thanks to the advantage of playing with one more player (Vu Dinh Hai of Hanoi received a red card). That was a match where the home team Hanoi missed many opportunities, while HAGL also defended steadily to maintain a fragile 1-goal difference.

But after 1 year, the situation has changed. Hanoi FC is still at the top level of V-League, while HAGL has weakened. 6 pillars including Minh Vuong, Ngoc Quang, Quang Nho, Bao Toan, Ly Duc, Van Son left, making the remaining squad in the hands of coach Le Quang Trai both thin and lacking in all positions.

In the match against Becamex TP.HCM, although they needed to increase their attack to equalize, HAGL could not make a difference because the reserve force was younger and more inexperienced than the main group.

With the patchwork of rookies and young players, HAGL has not been able to build a solid and smooth counter-attacking defense, which makes the relegation race more difficult for the mountain town team.

HAGL plays sporadically and depends on foreign players

PHOTO: VPF

On the other hand, despite losing 1-2 to Ho Chi Minh City Police Club in the opening match, Hanoi Club was still stronger than HAGL. Coach Makoto Teguramori’s team still mixed the youth and experience of the mainstays, with leaders like Van Quyet and Hung Dung.

Just like HAGL, Hanoi FC cannot play smoothly when the foreign players are not "in sync". But with the existing philosophy and strong core squad, Van Quyet and his teammates are capable of taking all 3 points.

Hard to escape the bottom of the table

The V-League schedule is... not favorable to HAGL. Right after the away match against Hanoi, coach Le Quang Trai and his team will face Ho Chi Minh City Police Club at Thong Nhat Stadium (round 3), then return home to compete with... Hanoi Police Club (round 4), before meeting PVF-CAND at PVF Stadium (round 5).

These are all very difficult matches, as Ho Chi Minh City Police Club and PVF-CAND both have strong reinforcements, while Hanoi Police Club is inherently very strong with a solid squad.

HAGL's first 5 round schedule

PHOTO: VPF

HAGL's difficult schedule this season is in contrast to last season, when the mountain town team only had to face Quang Nam , SLNA and Da Nang in the first rounds. With a thin squad and constantly facing "big mountains", the duo of coach Le Quang Trai and technical director (GĐKT) Vu Tien Thanh need to calculate the players and reasonable playing style to overcome difficulties.

After that, HAGL will have an easier time hosting SLNA at home in Pleiku (round 6) and visiting Hai Phong (round 7).

And then, the "storm" will return in rounds 8 and 9 when HAGL will have to face defending champions Nam Dinh and The Cong Viettel. However, HAGL will play both matches at home in Pleiku.

The mountain town support will help Mr. Le Quang Trai and his team have more confidence, as more than 2/3 of the points HAGL earned last season were in Pleiku.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/v-league-hagl-gap-lich-thi-dau-sieu-kho-cuoc-dua-tru-hang-gian-nan-185250821112512583.htm