HAGL faces challenges in the second round of the V-League 2025/26

22/08/2025 06:52:00 GoalGuru

Hosting Thanh Hóa in their first home match of the season, Ninh Bình is very likely to claim 3 points as a gift for their supporters and simultaneously surge to the top of the league table. Meanwhile, HAGL is expected to fall further to the bottom after visiting a recently weakened Hanoi FC.

Hoàng Đức’s team achieved an impressive 3-1 win at Hà Tĩnh last week and comes back home full of momentum this week. Thanh Hóa is not truly a strong opponent, especially after they struggled to hold SHB Đà Nẵng to a draw in round 1. The Thanh Hóa side lost many key players following the 2024/25 season, and new coach Choi Kwon Won will not easily adapt to these changes soon. Without the fighting spirit shown in previous years, Thanh Hóa will surely be a candidate fighting to avoid relegation this season.

Ninh Bình is highly motivated to secure all 3 points in their first home game this week. Coach Gerard Castano’s club earned 3 points in round 1 through an emotional comeback. Hoàng Đức and his teammates showed no signs of being unsettled, as the V-League is a very familiar arena for Ninh Bình’s stars. The club has maintained stability, added quality stars across the squad, and operates quite smoothly. That is why Ninh Bình can defeat Thanh Hóa this round, reach 6 points, and rise to lead the V-League.

Ninh Bình has a strong chance to take over the top spot from Becamex TP.HCM, who currently hold it, because this week, coach Nguyễn Anh Đức’s team must face CAHN, which recently suffered a narrow defeat in Thailand. CAHN finds it hard to accept the loss to BG Pathum United in the opening game of Group A in the ASEAN Club Championship 2025/26, and the match against Becamex TP.HCM might be an opportunity for coach Polking’s team to break their unlucky streak.

Becamex TP.HCM just recorded a big win over HAGL at Pleiku in round 1 and are also full of momentum to start their first home game this season. Coach Anh Đức’s team is strong in defensive counterattacks, so CAHN must be very cautious. CAHN has realized that luck does not always accompany them, even though coach Polking’s team recently won the National Super Cup.

However, two consecutive matches without wins against Thể Công Viettel and BG Pathum United serve as a stern warning for the capital club’s ambitions. CAHN needs a victory to regain their spirit and former stature. Coach Polking’s team knows what must be done to prevent their trophies from slipping away one after another.

Thể Công Viettel really needs Lucao to continue his scoring form in order to bring home a victory against Công an TP.HCM. Photo: Hoàng Linh

The highlight of round 3 is the match at Hàng Đẫy stadium where Thể Công Viettel hosts Công an TP.HCM. Coach Lê Huỳnh Đức’s team will have their strength tested against the squad led by coach Velizar Popov. The personality of the Bulgarian coach makes Thể Công Viettel more exciting to watch. The draw with CAHN in round 1 demonstrated Thể Công Viettel’s ability, especially considering CAHN has maintained very high performance from the end of last season to the start of this one.

Thể Công Viettel’s opponent is Công an TP.HCM, whose slogan "The Icon Returns" has thrilled local fans. Công an TP.HCM’s victory over Hanoi FC, ending a 9-year winless streak against the capital club, is a positive sign early in the new season. Tiến Linh’s excellent form helped Công an TP.HCM defeat the title contender Hanoi FC right in the opening round.

Nevertheless, playing away at Thể Công Viettel is a completely different challenge. Công an TP.HCM will have to play cautiously to try to earn points. At this time, the playing style of coach Lê Huỳnh Đức’s players has been studied by opponents.

At home, Thể Công Viettel obviously does not want to repeat mistakes like Hanoi FC, and the visitors may not play as fast or confidently as they did last week at Hàng Đẫy. Thể Công Viettel expects 3 points in this match, while Công an TP.HCM aims to avoid defeat.

This match is quite unpredictable, but to win the championship, Thể Công Viettel must "decode" the southern football representative. If they fail to win this match, coach Velizar Popov’s team could be left far behind by Nam Định. The defending champions only face SLNA this round, and 3 points will likely be secured by coach Vũ Hồng Việt’s squad.

SLNA and HAGL are unlikely to escape the bottom group after round 2. SLNA disappointed by losing 1-2 to newly promoted PVF CAND on the opening day, despite being rated higher. In round 2, SLNA has home advantage, but Nam Định has not lost to SLNA in the last 3 seasons (4 wins, 1 draw).

HAGL may even be ranked below Nam Định because they must face Hanoi FC in round 2. The team managed by Sporting Director Vũ Tiến Thành is considered weak and has lost many key players. The current HAGL squad lacks a star player to rescue the club when needed.

HAGL seems to be "harvesting early," which will make the Mountain Club struggle in the long race. Hanoi FC just suffered a heavy blow after losing at Thống Nhất Stadium, and coach Makoto Teguramori’s team must overcome that by winning 3 points against HAGL in their first home match of the new season.

Schedule and live broadcast of round 2

Friday (August 22)

19:15, Hàng Đẫy stadium: Thể Công Viettel – Công an TP.HCM (FPT Play, HTV Sports)

Saturday (August 23)

18:00, Hòa Xuân stadium: SHB Đà Nẵng - Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh (FPT Play)

18:00, Ninh Bình stadium: Ninh Bình – Thanh Hóa (FPT Play, TV 360+4)

18:00, Vinh stadium: SLNA – Nam Định (FPT Play, TV360+5, MyTV)

18:00, Lạch Tray stadium: Hải Phòng – PVF CAND (FPT Play)

19:15, Hàng Đẫy stadium: Hanoi FC – HAGL (FPT Play, MyTV)

Sunday (August 24)

18:00, Bình Dương stadium: Becamex TP. HCM – CAHN (FPT Play, HTV Sports)

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