‘Disappointed’ and ‘losing hope’ are some of the ways SHB Da Nang fans have been left feeling after their home football club finished ninth out of 14 teams in Viet Nam’s top-tier V-League 2020, and fought against relegation for the four consecutive V-League seasons.

Foreign strikers Tanda (right) along with Akinade and Jelic say goodbye to SHB DN just one year after signing the deals

In the past, the Da Nang team was considered one of bright candidates for the championship as it won the V-League championship in 1992, 2009 and 2012.

This disappointing result was partly explained by the far-reaching disruption in training sessions as Da Nang braced for two waves of coronavirus infections in April and late July respectively.

Another reason for that result is that SHB DN has some important players missing, including skilled domestic and foreign footballers. Besides, the football club has yet to sign contract with any foreign players who can satisfy the requirements of the coaching board.

SHB DN have just two months weeks to prepare for next league season which is set to kick off in January 2021, with a number of big issues to address following a season in which they won just six and lost seven games.

But SHB’s coaching board remains optimistic that the football team will be able to return to the Premier League with more positive results.

Immediately after this year’s national premier league ended on 8 November, the SHB DN Football Club terminated its contract with three foreign footballers Akinade Ismaheel, Tanda Bapianga Deogracias and Jelic Igor, plus such domestic players as Luc Xuan Hung, Le Van Sau, Vo Nhat Tan, Au Van Hoan and Vo Ly.

Meanwhile, the SHB DN Club has just signed a contract with Brazilian striker Rafaelson Bezerra Fernandes who once played for Nam Dinh Club.

At present, SHB’s coach Le Huynh Duc is trying to recruit some skilled domestic and foreign footballers through transfer windows in preparation for the next season.  

Hopefully, Da Nang football club will overcome its recent challenges and resume its strengths with new vitality and new determination, especially great fighting spirit, in a bid to gain even more success from the new league season.

By NGUYEN AN - Translated by M.D