A minute’s silence will be observed before the start of this weekend’s V-League matches in memory of the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The Viet Nam Football Federation also said on its website that all seven stadia hosting matches will hang a white band with black letters saying “We deeply sympathise with the Japanese people.”

The round begins with an early kick-off today between bottom-placed Ha Noi ACB and Becamex Binh Duong, who have been rocked by gangsters’ attack on defender Tran Chi Cong.

With the return of playmaker Leandro De Oliveira, however, Binh Duong will remain far superior to the Ha Noi team despite the latter’s renewed confidence following their first win of the season, a surprise 2-0 victory over front-runners Dong Thap.

Third-placed Dong Thap will host Hoa Phat Ha Noi, who are just a point behind on 10, at Cao Lanh which is again ready for football following an upgrade to its lighting system.

Leaders SHB Da Nang will play Khanh Hoa at home at the Chi Lang Stadium.

But the cynosure of all eyes will be Pleiku Stadium where newly-appointed British coach Simon McMenemy will lead struggling Dong Tam Long An against arch-rivals Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

McMenemy, the only British coach in the V-League, was a success at the ASEAN Football Federation Championships, AFF-Suzuki Cup last year when he managed the Philippines, who played a blend of European and Asian styles, to qualify for semi-final.

Two-time champions Long An hope the young and charismatic McMenemy can effectively combine the foreign and local players in the team.

Defending champions Ha Noi T&T are likely to extend their winning run – following wins in the V-League and AFC Cup – when they host struggling Ninh Binh at home.

In other matches, Vicem Hai Phong take on Navibank Sai Gon and Song Lam Nghe An clash with Lam Son Thanh Hoa.

Source: VNS