(Live football) - Hai Phong will host CA TP.HCM at Lach Tray Stadium in the 18th round of V-League
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Heading into Round 18 of V.League, Hai Phong and CA TP.HCM face off at Lach Tray with distinctly contrasting form.
The Port City team recently regained winning joy by defeating Hanoi FC, ending a forgettable streak dating back to November 2025. Conversely, CA TP.HCM disappointed greatly with a heavy 0-4 loss to Thanh Hoa, halting their previous three-match winning streak under coach Le Huynh Duc.
This disparity in form makes the match particularly noteworthy, especially as Hai Phong holds home advantage. Historical encounters also lean heavily toward the Lach Tray hosts, who have won 6 of their last 7 meetings, with only one draw. This clearly provides a significant morale boost for coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and his squad.
In terms of tactics, Hai Phong is gradually stabilizing their playstyle with Lupeta shining in attack. The Portuguese striker helps fill the gap left by Fred Friday and brings efficiency in scoring. Additionally, players like Joel Tagueu and Luiz Antonio continue to play crucial roles, maintaining the team's balance between offense and defense.
On the opposite side, CA TP.HCM's biggest challenge remains their attack. Nguyen Tien Linh is enduring a prolonged slump and hasn't regained his scoring touch. Pressure thus falls on young players like Khoa Ngo and Lee Williams, but their inconsistency prevents them from creating breakthroughs.
Given their current form and home advantage, Hai Phong clearly has solid grounds to aim for a positive result. However, if CA TP.HCM can improve their finishing ability, they could still produce a surprise in this eagerly awaited match.