VietNamNet Bridge – The V.League 2017 season promises competitive and dramatic matches from the first rounds after a draw held on Wednesday in Ha Noi.

Ha Noi T&T will play Quang Ninh Coal at the opener of the 2017 V.League as well as the National Super Cup. — VNS Photo

14 clubs will take part in the tournament, which is scheduled on January 8 to October 29. In the first round, reigning champions Ha Noi T&T will play its opener match against fourth-placed Quang Ninh Coal at Hang Day Stadium.

Ha Noi T&T will have chance at payback after losing 1-2 to Quang Ninh Coal in their National Cup’s final, second leg, in September.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai will again lure people’s attention this season. They welcome back national idols Nguyen Cong Phuong and Nguyen Tuan Anh after one year competing in Japan.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai will visit SHB Da Nang, who finished third after a tense, last-second race to win title last year.

SHB Da Nang will introduce a new and young team after saying goodbye to aged and not-in-plan players while using their own-trained players from youth squads.

Hai Phong--who missed their first ever crown in the last round match--will welcome Sai Gon FC, who have lured a number of senior and experienced members during their preparation for the new year.

A central region derby between FLC Thanh Hoa and Song Lam Nghe An will also spotlight the first round.

Thanh Hoa, one of the richest teams supported by the powerful FLC Group, will host a visiting side who have a high number of royal fans.

Former champions Becamex Binh Duong--who have new manager and plan to rebuild the core of the squad--will host Sanna Khanh Hoa, an all-time V.League dark horse.

New-comer HCM City FC will taste atmosphere of the national premier league when they are at home to Quang Nam.

And on their home turf, Can Tho will entertain Long An.

Earlier, on December 31, a Super National Cup between V.League champions Ha Noi T&T and National Cup winner Quang Ninh Coal will be organised.

All V.League matches will be aired live on television and the official media channel of the organisers at youtube.com/user/Vpfmedia.At the draw ceremony, organisers also announced plans for the First Division with 10 teams from January 7 to July 29 and the National Cup from February 5 to November 5.

Clubs are allowed to have two foreigners and one naturalised player in their games. Ha Noi T&T and Quang Ninh Coal--who are Vietnamese representatives at Asian competitions--can have a third foreigner, but one of them must be from Asia or Australia.

During the tournaments, they will have four breaks when players will be summoned to serve national duties.

Source: VNS