LookAtVietnam – Becamex Binh Duong have an enviable record against Khatoco Khanh Hoa at home and away, but things may change when the sides meet in round nine of the V-League today in Nha Trang.

Clashing titans: Khatoco Khanh Hoa captain-striker Nguyen Quang Hai (right) will spearhead his team’s defence of their unbeaten home record this year against defending champions Becamex Binh Duong in the ninth round of the V-League.

Binh Duong won six of their last seven encounters, drawing one, but the host team is riding high this season, having won two and drawn two at home. Away, Khanh Hoa have three wins.

Their only loss was to The Cong in round six a month ago. They are on 15 points and are in second on the table.

Coach Hoang Anh Tuan is in a buoyant mood after recent wins against Nam Dinh and Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Their solid performance this year is being attributed chiefly to their foreign imports – Mustapha, Issufu and Jonathan – who have created a formidable defensive line. National members – Le Tan Tai, Quang Hai and Dao Van Phong – are also at the peak of their form.

Although Khanh Hoa’s playing style is unattractive, their physical one-on-one confrontational style has served them well this year. They have played a largely defensive game, relying on sudden counter attacks to score points, as HCM City, Dong Thap and Nam Dinh have learnt to their cost.

Hot on their heels

Meanwhile defending champions Binh Duong are two steps lower, on 11 points. But the visitors will inevitably be feeling the effects of competing in the Asian Football Confederation Cup. Their strikers failed to score in the team’s last two matches, and they owe their league success to their solid defence.

Defender Hoang Vuong scored a decisive goal to help Binh Duong beat Hai Phong Cement 2-1 in round 5 at home on April 1. It was Vuong again 11 days later who levelled the score against Da Nang at Chi Lang stadium.

To retain their unbeaten record against Khanh Hoa, coach Francisco Vital will have to ensure the visitors’ defence is tight. They will also have to be more creative in midfield.

Forward Huynh Kesley Alves, a Vietnamese-Brazilian, will miss today’s game because of an injury suffered in the last round. Vital will instead have to rely on Philani, who prefers to play on the wing, and national player Nguyen Anh Duc, who has a good scoring record against Khanh Hoa.

Substitute Nguyen Duc Thien may well get a chance to shine in Nha Trang. Despite spending most of the season on the bench, Thien has scored two of Binh Duong’s 12 goals this year.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News