Da Nang fly to Bahrain without Merlo

Matias Eduardo (31) and Hoa Phat's Cassiano

Da Nang striker Gaston Merlo, who has been top scorer of V-League for last two seasons, will be absent in the first leg of AFC Cup 2010 quarter-final after collecting two yellow cards. It is a huge loss for the Vietnamese side who is likely to be without another key player, injured Nguyen Rogerio. Gaston Merlo has hit 5 goals in AFC Cup 2010 so far.

Because naturalized player Nguyen Rogerio will counted as domestic player from quarter-final on, Da Nang will add one more foreigner to its squad. Matias Eduardo, who has enjoyed good form recently, will have the chance to play continental games and will replace Gaston Merlo in the next game.

Besides Merlo and Rogerio, Da Nang can't have the service of some first team players like Nguyen Sa, Hoang Quang, Van Meo due to injury and Duc Cuong, Thanh Phuc who joined Hoa Phat after V-League 2010 ended.