5 talking points from the V.League 1 this weekend

#1 Five Become Four

Will Ha Noi be lifting the trophy again next week?

It was possible at the start of this weekend’s fixtures that five out of the fourteen teams in the league could still walk away victorious this season. But now, going into the final round of fixtures, it has been cut to four.

The place to be on the final day will undoubtedly be Than Quang Ninh vs Ha Noi as they both can win the title. However, the home side will need a minor miracle. Than Quang Ninh sit three points behind Ha Noi, Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam going into the final day and have a goal difference that is a lot worse.

So, for them to win the title they would need to beat Hanoi 8-0 and hope that Thanh Hoa and ang Nam lose. While it's not impossible but it's most definitely not likely at all.

Than Quang Ninh’s record: P: 25 | W: 12 | D: 6 | L: 7 | GD: 8 | Pts: 42 Last game: Ha Noi (H)

Quang Nam had it in their sights and all they needed to do was beat Ha Noi and they would have gone into the final game three points ahead of the chasing pack. A goal midway through the second half was enough for the reigning champions Ha Noi to succumb Quang Nam to their first away defeat in this half of the season. All they can do now is win their remaining game and hope that Ha Noi and Thanh Hoa slip up.

Quang Nam’s record: P: 25 | W: 12 | D: 9 | L:4 | GD: +12 | Pts: 45 Last game: Ho Chi Minh (H)

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Sanna Khanh Hoa finally lost their grip on the trophy as they lost at FLC Thanh Hoa to late goals in both halves. In the first-half stoppage time, Thanh Hoa were awarded a penalty which was duly dispatched and then despite SKH’s persistence and efforts, Thanh Hoa doubled their lead on the stroke of full time leaving them firmly in contention for the title.

FLC Thanh Hoa’s record is like this going into the final day: P: 25 | W: 12 | D: 9 | L: 4 | GD: +14 | Pts: 45 Last game: Song Lam Nghe An (A)

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Ha Noi sit top of the table on goal difference going into their final day showdown with Than Quang Ninh. They did very well to prevent Quang Nam from going three points clear as they were in a hot run of form, especially away from home. But Ha Noi stood firm and got the victory when it mattered most.

Their away form isn’t the greatest though as they have only won once away from home in the second half of the season. So it will really take all that they’ve got to get the three points away at Than Quang Ninh.

Ha Noi’s record: P: 25 | W:12 | D: 9 | L: 4 | GD: +23 | Pts: 45 Last game: Than Quang Ninh (A)

The title is Ha Noi’s to lose going into the final weekend; it will be a day full of nerves, excitement and at the end of it, someone will become V League 2017 winners.