V-League kicks off with an impressive start.

19/08/2025 08:35:00 esportapi

The 2025/26 V-League began with early impressions from the rookie teams, while title contenders immediately faced obstacles in the opening round.

Nam Định, Hanoi FC, CAHN, and Thể Công Viettel are considered top candidates for the championship. However, all four teams failed to get off to a perfect start in the opening round. Hanoi FC lost their first match, Nam Định struggled to secure a win, and CAHN had a tough time against Thể Công Viettel as both teams drew in the capital derby.

CAHN and Thể Công Viettel produced a match of high technical quality. Interestingly, this was the key clash of round one between two championship hopefuls, resulting in a fiercely contested derby. In practice, the match was not only “heated” in the stands but also intense in every play on the field.

With outstanding talents in the squad, coach Polking has built an attack-focused style for his players. However, he still needs to find optimal solutions to shore up the defense, which was a weakness revealed last season.

Despite having a squad full of quality players, Ninh Bình still had a tough match at Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh, the hardest team to beat in last year’s V-League. To soar in the V-League, Ninh Bình needs both collective strength and a clear playing identity, something that can’t be established overnight.

However, even without a defined philosophy, the individual brilliance of players like Đức Chiến and Hoàng Đức can still make a difference for Ninh Bình. This is the strength of clubs willing to invest heavily to bring in top talent.

On the day Ninh Bình celebrated their victory upon joining the V-League, PVF-CAND also earned their first win in Vietnam’s top football division. The 2-1 win over SLNA, a team that struggled to avoid relegation last season, doesn’t reveal much about PVF-CAND yet.

Ninh Bình secured their first V-League win thanks to experienced veterans like Đức Chiến (left). Photo: Minh Hoàng

However, with a core of young players, the first three points offered great encouragement to coach Thạch Bảo Khanh and his team, boosting their confidence for the V-League journey ahead. Previously, CATP.HCM had also marked their return to prominence with a dramatic 2-1 win over Hanoi FC, a team that had almost always won at Thống Nhất Stadium before.

At Thiên Trường Stadium, reigning champions Nam Định had to endure 90 tough minutes against Hải Phòng. Only in the closing moments did Lý Công Hoàng Anh and Kevin Phạm Ba help Nam Định come from behind. Coach Vũ Hồng Việt faces many questions, such as an attack still heavily reliant on the tall foreign player Kyle Hudlin, a tactic that opponents can easily anticipate if Nam Định doesn’t diversify their attacking approach.

The dramatic opening matches have already revealed the shape and mentality of the championship contenders. Hanoi FC is still struggling to regain their crown, Nam Định remains reliant on foreign players, and CAHN started slowly.

The results of round one suggest that the 2025/26 V-League will be highly intriguing. Clearly, this season holds many surprises and big hopes, from ambitious clubs to those fighting hard in their own way.

The fact that title contenders faced difficulties in the opening round signals a highly competitive season. The race for the championship promises to be unpredictable, especially with top teams like Nam Định and CAHN competing on four fronts. Additionally, with two direct relegation spots, teams will be fighting from the start to accumulate points.

Overall, the first round has revealed a fiercely competitive season right from the starting line. The major contenders seem confused, while the lesser-rated teams know how to create upsets. If this trend continues, fans will witness a fair and open race for the title, which is no longer the exclusive domain of a few wealthy clubs.

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