Round 25 of the LPBank V-League 2025/26: Dramatic final moments

The penultimate round will be held simultaneously at 6:00 PM on May 31, promising to be packed with drama and fierce competition. The fight for a place in the Top 3 and survival in the league is reaching its climax, pushing many clubs to exert maximum effort to meet their objectives.

The spotlight match at Pleiku Stadium between HAGL and Hanoi FC is sure to draw a large crowd of domestic football fans. This is a storied rivalry between two long-standing adversaries that has lasted nearly 20 years.

Hanoi FC is desperate for a win to secure their third-place position, as coach Harry Kewell's squad shares 45 points with Ninh Binh but leads on tiebreakers. In contrast, the Mountain City team is in crisis, sitting second from bottom and at high risk of slipping into the danger zone if they lose this match. The urgent return of Mr. Vu Tien Thanh from Ninh Binh to assist coach Le Quang Trai highlights the importance of this game.

The hosts at Pleiku have won 3 and drawn 2 of their last 5 home encounters against Hanoi FC. That is why Harry Kewell's side cannot afford to underestimate their opponent, despite enjoying superior form.

The clash between these two teams in round 25 is expected to attract a large number of fans to the stadium. Historically, this fixture has often seen Pleiku Stadium packed to capacity due to the intensity of these two traditionally strong V-League clubs. To ensure both teams can focus on their performance, Malaysian referee Razlan Joffri will officiate this match.

Ninh Binh stands to benefit from the match at Pleiku and is considered to have an easier task as they visit Thanh Hoa away. Although Thanh Hoa boasts Ngoc My, who is in great form, this very player was actually loaned to the Thanh Hoa side by Ninh Binh.

Coach Mai Xuan Hop's squad may also lack strong motivation. This presents a clear opportunity for Ninh Binh to gain an additional 3 points and leapfrog Hanoi FC if Kewell's team slips up in Pleiku. New coach Chu Dinh Nghiem is expected to make an impressive debut with the ancient capital club. In the first leg, Ninh Binh defeated Thanh Hoa by a commanding 4-0 margin.

Since Ninh Binh and Hanoi FC are closely chasing each other, The Cong Viettel is also affected. Coach Velizar Popov's team is determined to secure an early finish as runners-up if they can earn points against CATP.HCM this round.

Although CATP.HCM has been playing much more impressively under coach Phung Thanh Phuong, with Lee Williams in explosive form, The Cong Viettel is still rated higher. A single point is within reach for the visiting side.

However, if CATP.HCM puts in the effort, an upset is quite possible. CATP.HCM is fighting hard to finish in the Top 5 overall, a result that could bring significant rewards for coach Phung Thanh Phuong's squad. This match is fraught with potential for controversy, so the organizers have hired Malaysian referee Muhammad Izzul Fikri to oversee it.

In the relegation battle, Becamex TP.HCM's away trip to Hang Day Stadium to face CAHN is considered nearly an "impossible mission." CAHN is riding high after clinching the championship early, and the joy of lifting the trophy after this match makes defeat almost unacceptable. Additionally, Alan and Dinh Bac are both eager to score goals to compete for the league's top scorer title.

Coach Hua Hien Vinh's squad faces a high risk of dropping to second from bottom if SHB Da Nang wins this round. This is because coach Le Duc Tuan's team, despite being in 13th place out of 14, holds a significant advantage as they visit Hong Linh Ha Tinh away. The Red Mountain club has already secured their survival early, so they can afford to relax.

The absence of two key players for Hong Linh Ha Tinh—captain Trong Hoang and Viet Trieu—further boosts SHB Da Nang's confidence in securing all three points. Striker Milan Makaric remains the biggest hope for the Han River club. SHB Da Nang is also highly regarded in the relegation race due to their passionate playing spirit and favorable schedule. It would not be surprising if coach Le Duc Tuan's side avoids a sad outcome in the remaining two matches of the season.

At PVF Stadium, PVF CAND is determined to "keep fighting until the end." Coach Tran Tien Dai's team must seize the opportunity to secure all three points at home, as Hai Phong appears to have given up hope.

If they win this match, PVF CAND will level points with current neighbor Becamex TP.HCM and keep their survival hopes alive until the final round. However, a draw or loss would almost certainly condemn PVF CAND to the sole relegation spot, giving their rivals above one less worry.