A series of championship contenders disappointed at the 2026 National U21 Finals

Several tournament favorites, including Hanoi, PVF-CAND, and Song Lam Nghe An, disappointed by not securing victories in their first games, causing the 2026 National U21 Finals to become highly uncertain from the start.

The 2026 National U21 Finals kicked off on the afternoon of July 12 at the PVF Youth Football Training Center, delivering exciting action from the very first round. Contrary to expectations, many heavyweight contenders for the title, such as Hanoi, PVF-CAND, and Song Lam Nghe An, all failed to win their opening matches, making the group stage dynamics unpredictable early on.

The highlight of the first matchday was the clash between hosts PVF-CAND and Hanoi in Group A. The capital's representatives started with great enthusiasm and took the lead in the 9th minute thanks to a close-range rebound from Dinh Thinh. However, that advantage did not last long, as PVF-CAND gradually regained control. In the 33rd minute, Long Vu capitalized on an opportunity to equalize, bringing the match back to a draw before halftime.

The second half saw a tight contest, with both teams creating several dangerous chances. PVF-CAND thought they had scored in the 70th minute when Thang Long found the net from a set-piece, but the referee ruled it offside. The match ended 1-1, forcing the two strong contenders to share the points on the opening day.

Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City became the most impressive team in Group A, being the only side to secure all three points. Against An Giang, Nhac Minh broke the deadlock early with a precise header in the 10th minute. In the 90+3rd minute, the same striker completed his brace to seal a 2-0 victory, temporarily putting Ho Chi Minh City at the top of the group after the first round.

In Group B, the clash between Song Lam Nghe An and The Cong Viettel also ended without a winner. The two sides drew 1-1 in a balanced contest, missing the chance to gain an early advantage. On the other hand, LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai had a smooth start, defeating Tay Ninh 2-0 to claim all three points and temporarily take the lead in the race for a spot in the next round.

The fact that many title contenders stumbled simultaneously in the opening round has made the2026 National U21 Finals more exciting than expected. The gap between teams remains very narrow, meaning every subsequent match could change the standings. Given what has happened, the race for the championship promises to be full of surprises and drama in the upcoming rounds.