COVID-19 overshadows 2022 V.League 1’s opening round – Sports – Vietnam News | Politics, Business, Economy, Society, Life, Sports

Soccer

Topenland Bình Định gamers coaching for the beginning of the season. They are going to host defending champions Viettel. — Picture of Topenland Bình ĐỊnh

HÀ NỘI — You will not want reminding that COVID-19 has the power to affect each side of life, and soccer is not any exception. The Evening Wolf V.League 1, which is kicked off in the present day (February 25), is already grappling with the way to take care of the pandemic this season, after cancelling the season for the primary time ever final October.

The pandemic additionally prompted bother for the nationwide girls’s soccer workforce on the current Asian Cup, in addition to the U23 squad on the ongoing AFF Championship.

Maybe unsurprisingly, however no much less disappointingly, on Wednesday the Việt Nam Skilled Soccer Firm (VPF) introduced a postponement of the V.League 1 first-round match between Hà Nội FC and Đông Á Thanh Hóa, scheduled for in the present day on the Hàng Đẫy Stadium.

In an extra announcement, VPF mentioned Đông Á Thanh Hóa requested for the postponement as a result of the workforce has 18 gamers, together with all three goalkeepers, optimistic with COVID-19. 

As such, Thanh Hóa solely have 11 gamers obtainable, which isn’t sufficient to compete. The laws rule {that a} workforce will need to have no less than 14 gamers, together with two keepers, to take the sphere.

The VPF accepted Thanh Hóa’s request and the match shall be rearranged for a yet-to-be-confirmed date.

Hà Nội should not affected as badly, although Nguyễn Quang Hải, Đỗ Duy Mạnh and Đoàn Văn Hậu are additionally isolating.

Early on Wednesday, Topenland Bình Định FC additionally deliberate to request a postponement to their sport as 28 of their set-up, together with 19 gamers, have returned optimistic checks.

Thankfully, after PCR checks on Thursday, 17 gamers are unfavorable, leaving them able to host defending champions Viettel at Quy Nhơn, though head coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng won’t be current as a consequence of his optimistic consequence.

“Lots of my teammates have COVID-19 however we nonetheless have sufficient gamers to play. We’ll compete with all we now have. I personally had COVID-19 however obtained a unfavorable consequence 4 days in the past. I’m prepared for the season’s first match,” mentioned striker Mạc Hồng Quân.

Bình Định are the workforce who spent probably the most within the current switch window. They’ve spent VNĐ110 billion (US$4.8 million) on 14 gamers, together with nationwide stars resembling striker Hà Đức Chinh, defender Nguyễn Đình Trọng and nationwide U23 midfielder Lý Công Hoàng Anh, within the hopes of difficult for the title this season.

On the opposite aspect, coach Trương Việt Hoàng additionally suffered from COVID-19. He might listing solely 20 gamers for the journey to Quy Nhơn. The remainder of the workforce are isolating at their coaching centre.

“We now have ready nicely for the match. We now have sufficient gamers for the sport and can struggle onerous tomorrow,” mentioned Hoàng.

A lot of the groups taking part in in the present day even have their very own COVID-19 issues.

Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA) will go to Becamex Bình Dương with out their head coach Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, who stays at house along with another gamers with the identical drawback.

On prime of this, their key midfielder Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng can be absent with a herniated disc.

After poor ends in earlier seasons, SLNA hope for higher fortunes this yr. They spent rather a lot luring nationwide midfielder Hoàng and former nationwide skipper Quế Ngọc Hải, and efficiently prolonged the contract with goal-hunting striker Phan Văn Đức.

“My workforce are desperate to play the primary match. My key gamers are in good kind. We will certainly have an excellent match in opposition to Bình Dương and produce house victory,” mentioned Hoàng, within the teaching seat for the primary time in his profession.  

Becamex Bình Dương are the luckiest by way of COVID-19 affecting choice. They are going to have their finest gamers able to welcome Sông Lam Nghệ An at Gò Đậu Stadium. — Picture of  Becamex Bình Dương

Bình Dương appear to be the one workforce secure on this first spherical, after nationwide ahead Nguyễn Tiến Linh has recovered from the COVID-19 some weeks in the past.

Coach Đặng Trần Chỉnh may have finest squad to entertain SLNA.

Linh, Brazilian striker Eydison Teofilo and captain Tô Văn Vũ, who lastly discovered his spot within the nationwide workforce early this month, are anticipated to carry out nicely for the hosts, who haven’t bettered SLNA within the final 13 matches.

The opposite match in the present day is between Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh and Hải Phòng. 

The hosts Hà Tĩnh positively need to repeat their shock 1-0 win when the 2 sides met within the fifth spherical match final season.

The win was a bang as Hà Tĩnh suffered 4 losses in a row, whereas high-ranking Hải Phòng gained three of the 4 earlier matches.

Each groups have been affected by COVID-19, however the first factors from this match will assist Hà Tĩnh carry on monitor to succeed in their goal of an excellent end this season.

In the meantime, Hải Phòng hope to have an excellent begin and a top-five end this season. — VNS