VietNamNet Bridge – Binh Duong captain Lancelot Kubheka Philani Bhekizizwe believes that his team still has a chance in the title race.

"We did not play well in the first half of the season, but now we are doing better. We have a chance although Song Lam Nghe An are in the driving seat," said the South African.

Philani also said that it was not Portuguese coach Ricardo Formosinho to blame for the club's poor form in the first half of the season, which saw the two-time champions languishing in ninth place, with only 15 points from 13 games.

"Formosinho is a good coach, but the club's problem in the first half was that there had been many changes in the team. Some players come while some leave, and we have a new team, so we need time to have a bond with the team. The team lacks balance between defence and upfront as well," he said.

"There is not any problem in the relationship between players in the team," said the 32-year-old player, who has played in the V-League for seven years.

Binh Duong, which have many football stars like midfielders Brazilian Leandro De Olivera, American Lee Nguyen and Vietnamese Nguyen Vu Phong have an opportunity to win the title this season but there is an 11-point gap with leaders SLNA while the V-League has only eight rounds remaining.

To make its slight title hopes continue, Binh Duong have no choice but defeating bottom-placed Long An. The goal is possible for in-form Binh Duong, but Philani isn't taking anything for granted.

"In the V-League there is no easy match. You can win a game but you also can lose a game, and we want to win on Sunday," he said.

Philani is the most prolific scorer for Binh Duong this season with nine goals.

"We cannot look too far; we just deal with opponents game by game and wait for slips from top teams. We have to win Sunday games against Dong Tam Long An," Philani said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News