V-League 2025/26 Round 2: Awaiting Unexpected Surprises

21/08/2025 19:46:00 soccer

The start of V-League 2025/26 shows an interesting blend of spectacular displays and promising signs. Fans hope to continue enjoying this fresh breeze in the coming matches.

1. By coincidence, two newcomers to V-League and several new club signings made their presence felt on the opening day. Meanwhile, the championship hopefuls struggled against weaker teams, with some even suffering defeat.

Ninh Bình FC and PVF-CAND entered the scene under expert scrutiny, not only as rookies but also due to their vigorous recruitment drives and the courageous acceptance of top-tier play under difficult conditions. Both rookie teams lived up to expectations by defeating experienced opponents in the opening round.

While the two title contenders CAHN and Thể Công Viettel ended in a draw at Hàng Đẫy Stadium, defending champions Nam Định had to work hard to overcome Hải Phòng. Their narrow victory in the opener indicates that the Nam Định squad will face many challenges this season.

The first round of V-League 2025/26 also showcased individual achievements. New players made an immediate impact at their new clubs. Nguyễn Đức Chiến and Dụng Quang Nho scored two goals in their debut for Ninh Bình FC in the V-League. Mpande scored the decisive goal to secure a 2-1 win for PVF-CAND against SLNA. At Thống Nhất, striker Nguyễn Tiến Linh scored his first goal in his debut match for CA TP.HCM. Luiz Antonio netted the only goal for Hải Phòng. Simultaneously, newcomers Nguyễn Văn Anh and Origbaajo scored two of the three goals in Becamex TP.HCM’s 3-0 victory over HAGL; furthermore, rookie Henen Davis opened the scoring for SHB Đà Nẵng in a 1-1 draw with Thanh Hóa.

The V-League increasingly features foreign coaches, making the contests between foreign and local managers more colorful, exciting, and intense. The 2025/26 season includes five foreign head coaches, along with dozens of assistants and fitness trainers, the highest number in many recent seasons.

Championship contenders such as CAHN and Thể Công Viettel will not easily dominate the newcomers. Photo: Hoàng Linh

Five teams are currently led by foreign coaches: CAHN with coach Polking, Thể Công Viettel with coach Popov, Hanoi FC with coach Teguramori, Thanh Hóa with coach Choi Won Kwon, and Ninh Bình FC with coach Gerard Albadalejo.

It is clear that teams choosing foreign head coaches tend to have highly rated squads, often considered among the top contenders for the championship.

2. Of course, it is too early to draw conclusions after just the first round, as "the true quality of a horse is known over a long distance." Nevertheless, signals from Ninh Bình and PVF-CAND have brought fresh energy to Vietnam’s top football stage. Championship hopefuls like Nam Định, Hanoi, CAHN, and Thể Công Viettel will not easily overshadow the newcomers. This indicates that the competition in the new season could be fierce and unpredictable. Broadly speaking, the 2025/26 season is tough right from the starting line.

Winning or losing at the start always brings different emotions. It is impossible to judge the quality of the 14 V-League teams based solely on the first round results. Especially in this grueling competition spanning two years, each team must combine squad strength, form, fitness, and even luck to compete over the long haul.

After a season marked by upheavals—teams changing names, some dissolving, and others granted late entry—the initial results highlight the unpredictability ahead. Therefore, the V-League championship race will not only revolve around familiar names like Nam Định, CAHN, Hanoi FC, and Thể Công Viettel but also promises to feature some hidden challengers.

Fans hope that these new forces will not just modestly aim to avoid relegation but will pose a real threat to the "big names" in the championship race.

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