SHB Da Nang will play at home to third-placed Thanh Hoa at 4.30pm today, 3 June.  A win is vital if they want to improve on their current fifth place in the 2014 V-League.

SHB DN are likely to face difficulties due to a lack of outstanding foreign strikers.  In particular, Brazilian striker Bernardo has yet to fully fill the gap left by Merlo despite his best efforts, and Matias has not yet met the requirements of the coaching board.  Midfielder Adrian Valentic has repeatedly made basic mistakes in recent games, and Minh Phuong is showing his age.  In addition, there also appears to have been a significant decrease recently in the physical strength of midfielders Phuoc Vinh and Quoc Anh, and defender Hung Son.  

SHB DN and Thanh Hoa players

Another worry for SHB DN is their opponents’ strong squad as they are expected to field their key stars, including naturalised players Dinh Van Ta, Hoang Vissai, Le Van Tan and Dang Amaobi, midfielder Nastja Ceh, goalkeeper Viet Nam, and striker Slobodan Dincic who won the award for top goalscorer in the 2010 - 2011 Serbian First Division.

After today’s match, SHB DN will next meet An Giang at home on 15 June, followed by a visit to Dong Tam Long An on 21 June.