VietNamNet Bridge – V-League leaders Song Lam Nghe An are determined to end their recent poor run today when they take on Hoang Anh Gia Lai at home in the V-League's 18th round, the club's head coach Nguyen Huu Thang said.

Nghe An, who has suffered two successive defeats, are expected to have a tough game against Gia Lai, whose form is in good shape and its main striker Evaldo Goncaves is on target again.

However, Thang believes that his team will turn the advantages of home soil into a win over six-placed Gia Lai.

"Our poor form is just a transient decline and partly because of the absence of key striker Kavin Bryan. Moreover, no club can win forever," Thang said, adding that the team's recent form has nothing to do with elimination from Asian Football Confederation Cup.

"Although we are still in the lead but the gap has been reduced now. And the heat of the title race is on now and will open up for many teams," the former national team's defender said.

Thang said that Ha Noi T&T made its comeback on the title race after a stunning victory over second-placed Da Nang, who have 31 points, four points behind Nghe An.

Ha Noi T&T, eight points behind Nghe An, stand a good chance to get full points against struggling Khanh Hoa today so it can keep chasing Nghe An and Da Nang, the latter expected to have a difficult trip to the port city of Hai Phong.

Bottom-placed team Long An's relegation risk is still high after they could not clinch a win over Ninh Binh on Sunday.

The two-time champion's task of seeking points is becoming more difficult as they will play away against Dong Thap today.

Binh Duong take on Hoa Phat Ha Noi, while third-placed team Thanh Hoa will visit Ninh Binh, which is still trying to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News