VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam's Asian Football Confederation Cup sides Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) and Ha Noi T&T will clash in an early fixture of the V-League 10th round today, April 5.

Both teams will enter the match with much calculation as they have crucial AFC Cup matches against important opponents a week later. The host, Ha Noi T&T, will certainly want a win to put their title aspirations back on track while SLNA will be happy with a draw.

SLNA have gone from being a likely contender at the beginning of the season to a serious contender in the title race. Since March 11, they have won five matches in a row, three in the V-League and two in the AFC Cup, and are currently leading the V-League table with 19 points.

Meanwhile, Ha Noi T&T, defending champions and strong pre-season title contenders, are struggling to meet expectations. The club is now six points behind SLNA at sixth place in the rankings.

Without any serious injury or suspensions, SLNA have all options available for their line-up while T&T will not have the service of defender Nguyen Dai Dong, who received a red card in the match against Binh Duong last week.

The match is taking place early in order to allow SLNA and Ha Noi T&T to compete in the Asian Football Confederation Cup. Both teams will want to avoid a defeat ahead of the AFC encounters.

Their recent success in the V-League will boost SLNA, who now stand second in Group F, when they clash with group leaders Sriwijaya in Indonesia on April 13.

For Ha Noi T&T, placed third in Group G, the April 12 match at home against Singapore's Tampines Rovers FC is of crucial importance in deciding whether or not they will progress further in the tournament.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News