VietNamNet Bridge – Ha Noi T&T Coach Phan Thanh Hung and his players are in high spirits ahead of their game against Victory Sport of the Maldives at home today, March 16.

Their 4-1 victory in the V-League on Saturday put an emphatic stop to a three match losing streak and gave them a timely boost ahead of their second group round match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

Although Hung knows little about Victory Sport, he is happy in the knowledge that Argentinean striker Matias Recio is hitting top form, having scored twice for T&T against former V-League champions Dong Tam Long An four days ago.

T&T will also welcome back former national striker Thach Bao Khanh to partner Recio or in-form Nguyen Ngoc Duy and Nguyen Van Quyet up front, forming a dangerous attacking line.

Former national star Le Hong Minh will martial the defence supported by club captain Brazilian Cristiano Roland who has formed a solid partnership with youngster Nguyen Tien Dung.

Coach Hung also has two other qualified foreigners in Caue Benicio and Gonzalo Marronkle who are always ready to stand in if there are any injury problems.

Home support at Hang Day Stadium where T&T grabbed 10 victories and two draws out of 14 matches last season is also likely to play a role. This year, they have won three out of four games.

Victory Sport lost 1-3 to Singapore's Tampines Rover in their last AFC Cup match, despite playing at home. Last year, they were defeated 0-8 over two legs by Becamex Binh Duong in the same competition.

In other games today, Thailand's Muang Thong who beat T&T 4-0 in their last match will face Tampines Rovers. Muang Thong, whose coach Henrique Calisto is the former manager of Viet Nam top the group by goal difference.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News