Stepping stone for Khanh Hoa FC to perfect playing style

Khanh Hoa FC are going to receive Hong Linh Ha Tinh in the preliminary round of Casper - National Cup 2023/24 at 19-8 Nha Trang Stadium at 6pm on November 26. This match will be a stepping stone for Khanh Hoa FC to perfect their playing style to prepare for the upcoming rounds of V.League 1.

Khanh Hoa FC

The domestic football tournaments just took a break for nearly 3 weeks for the national football team playing in the preliminary round of World Cup 2026. It resumed on November 24 with the preliminary round of Casper - National Cup 2023/24. The round runs until November 28 with the competition of 9 V.League 1 teams and 9 V.League 2 teams. The teams are split into 9 pairs and compete in a knockout format to decide 9 qualified teams for the round of 16. 5 V.League 1 teams including Dong A Thanh Hoa, Quy Nhon Binh Dinh, The Cong-Viettel, Hanoi and Hai Phong and 2 V.League 2 teams namely PVF People's Police and Phu Dong Ninh Binh had been exceptionally promoted to the round of 16. The inaugural match was between Hanoi Police, who are the defending champions of V.League 1, and LP Bank Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who have signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with new sponsor - LienViet Post Joint Stock Commercial Bank - and changed their name. 

The match between the hosts Khanh Hoa FC and Hong Ling Ha Tinh isn’t expected to be a dramatic one. Both teams are likely to take this chance to brace themselves for the upcoming matches of V.League 1. Khanh Hoa FC still aim for a win to make this match a steppingstone to perfect their line-up.

National Cup isn’t the first priority of Khanh Hoa’s football under coach Vo Dinh Tan because of financial difficulties. As usual, this year, Khanh Hoa FC only focus on V.League 1. They were often eliminated in the preliminary or knockout rounds of National Cup except for the 2018 edition when they progressed to quarter-final round. Hong Linh Ha Tinh also don’t set a high target in Casper - National Cup 2023/24, but they will also try to get their first win this season after 1 loss and 2 draws in V.League 1.

Khanh Hoa FC are placing above Hong Linh Ha Tinh on V.League 1 rankings after 2 losses and 1 win. Khanh Hoa FC also have home advantage in the upcoming match. However, Hong Linh Ha Tinh have displayed more stable form in V.League 1 so far as they drew against strong teams Dong A Thanh Hoa and Song Lam Nghe An and narrowly lost to The Cong-Viettel. Therefore, the result between Khanh Hoa FC and Hong Linh Ha Tinh in Casper - National Cup 2023/24 is unpredictable. 

An Nhien
Translated by H.N