Thanh Hoa ready for V.League push

Hanoi (VNA) – FLC Thanh Hoa want to become champions of national football, by taking advantage of their mass recruitment two months before the new season.

The team continuously made headlines with a series of new contracts with famed players, including midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh and defender Tran Dinh Dong from Song Lam Nghe An, and midfielders Mai Tien Thanh and Hoang Van Binh from Becamex Binh Duong.

Dong, Binh and Thinh are regular members of the national team and have made their names in local and international tournaments.

Skilful Thinh received two offers, both for 2 billion VND (89,000 USD) per season, after saying goodbye to Song Lam Nghe An.

Thinh, who chose Thanh Hoa because "they have the ambition to be the champion" was the most expensive purchase for the team.

Thinh said he saw Thanh Hoa's great potential and hopes to lift the triumph cup with them.

Like Thinh, Thanh decided to return to Thanh Hoa, his former club, because of Thanh Hoa's prospects, after they were transferred to new managers, the FLC Group, seven months ago.

The group has set a target of taking the top position in the V.League against power-houses Becamex Binh Duong and Hanoi T&T.

"Since we took over the team, we promised to build a powerful club who could vie for the top V.League position. FLC Thanh Hoa must be the pride of the Thanh Hoa people," said president Doan Van Phuong.

"These contracts are all to improve our strength, which will ensure our aim in the new season," he added.

Thanh Hoa also extended contracts with two foreigners, striker Pape Omar Faye and midfielder Danny Van Bakel, who played key roles in their third ranking in the V.League table.

Faye is one of best strikers on the team, with 10 goals last season.

Bakel is going to become a local member of the team, as he is applying for Vietnamese citizenship.

The FLC Group also aims to rejuvenate their line-up.

Three players who have graduated from the Promotion Fund for Vietnamese Football Talents found new homes in Thanh Hoa.

One of them is national U23 goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Tuan, who is currently in Qatar to compete at the Asian championship.

Two others are left defender Tran Van Hoa and striker Tran Thanh Long, both being members of the national U19 squad.

Thanh Hoa also pushed two U19 players, who matured in their own training centre, to join the first team for this coming season.

It is believed that the team managing board is seeking an experienced head coach, and former national defender Nguyen Huu Thang is its top target.

They are planning a new home with an advanced infrastructure "to match with the development of the team", said president Phuong.

Thanh Hoa finished the 2015 season in third position, eight points behind champions Becamex Binh Duong.-VNA