SHB DN begin the Lunar New Year with a home fixture against Fico Cement Tay Ninh in the qualifying round of the National Football Cup on 4 February at the newly-built 20,000-seat Hoa Xuan Stadium in Cam Le District.

SHB DN players celebrate after scoring a goal in a match of the national football championship

The team will then fly to Ha Noi to play their fifth match of Viet Nam's top-tier V League 2017 season against Ha Noi T&T at Hang Day Stadium.

In other National Cup matches on 4 February, Binh Phuoc face Dong Thap, while Song Lam Nghe An host Dak Lak.

Viettel will play against Thua Thien-Hue, while Hai Phong take on Nam Dinh on 5 February.

Da Nang has high hopes for the cup and league, with their line-up strengthened by new recruits Britez Ezequiel David from Argentina, and Brazilian Teofilo Soares Eydison.

The team also secured Vietnamese citizenship for Argentina-born striker Gaston Merlo, and the striker will now play under the Vietnamese name Do Merlo.

Merlo was the top scorer in the V.League 1 last season with 24 goals, the fourth time he finished as the league’s top marksman.

Director of SHB DN Sport Stock Company, Bui Xuan Hoa said Merlo wishes to stay in Da Nang as his family is used to the city after having lived there for years.

The Argentinean striker has scored 92 goals between 2008 and 2016 for SHB DN.

The city-based team finished third in 2016 and last won the title in 2012.

Da Nang are currently fourth in the V.League 1 after four matches with 7 points.

According to SHB DN, the new stadium, which covers an area of 10.2ha, will host all international sports in the city.

Last year, Barcelona football school in Asia and Oceania (FCBEscola) paid a working visit to the team for future co-operation in training young footballers.

(Source: VNS/ DA NANG Today)