The standings of the V-League 2025/26 are gradually taking shape.

The second round wrapped up last weekend with 17 goals scored, of which foreign players accounted for 12, vastly outnumbering the 5 goals by domestic and overseas Vietnamese players. This sharply contrasts with round 1, where domestic and overseas Vietnamese players scored 12 out of 20 goals, while foreigners had only 8. Another important point is that the league’s hierarchy is beginning to shape up as experts predicted.

After two rounds, the goal-scoring balance favors foreign attackers, accurately reflecting their quality and match-winning capabilities. At Hang Day, Viettel Army defeated Ho Chi Minh City Police 3-0, thanks to a brace by a foreign player and one goal from Vietnamese overseas player Damian Vu.

Lucao continues to prove himself as one of the most reliable strikers in the V-League, maintaining the form of last season’s top scorer. Similarly, Alan helped CAHN secure a 3-goal victory at Binh Duong against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City. Alan has also scored 2 goals in 2 V-League matches this season, just like Lucao.

The highest-scoring game of the round was Ninh Binh’s 4-0 win over Thanh Hoa. Foreign players Gustavo and Silva each scored twice, contributing 3 goals for the team from the ancient capital. This confirms that Ninh Binh relies not only on a disciplined defense but also possesses a formidable offense to aim for the top group.

At other venues, Nam Dinh disappointed by losing 1-2 to SLNA. In Vinh city, Nam Dinh’s expensive foreign players remained silent, allowing Lam Ti Phong to score, and the defending champions lost as Van Luong and Dale Moore netted two goals for SLNA.

Hanoi FC, despite having one of the most expensive star-studded squads in the league, remains ineffective in scoring and has yet to record a win. Promising players like Willian Maranhao (Hanoi FC, valued at millions of USD) and Raphael Utzig (Ho Chi Minh City Police) have not contributed yet, creating a stark contrast to the brilliant performances of peers like Alan, Lucao, Gustavo, and Silva.

After two rounds, foreign players have scored 20 out of a total 38 goals. Domestic and overseas Vietnamese players have scored 18 goals. Though the difference is not large, it partly confirms that foreign players have warmed up and adapted to the V-League, and now is the time for them to break through.

Looking at the overall picture, round 2 not only confirms the rise of foreign players in scoring but also begins to unveil the order of the V-League 2025/26. Traditional powerhouses like Viettel Army, CAHN, and newly promoted Ninh Binh, heavily invested, have quickly found their rhythm, winning impressively together to lay the foundation for the championship race.

Conversely, two major forces, defending champions Nam Dinh and Hanoi FC, started off unsteadily. Nam Dinh lacks their usual sharpness in attack despite having many foreign players, while Hanoi FC, expected to improve under coach Teguramori, struggles with finishing and foreign player issues. Nevertheless, it would not be surprising if Nam Dinh and Hanoi FC soon return to the competition with their usual quality.

The surprises from round 1 such as Ho Chi Minh City Police, PVFCAND, and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City all suffered defeats, highlighting the toughness of the V-League. Maintaining consistency is key, while surprises tend to be temporary. For this group, the most realistic goal might be successful relegation avoidance or aiming for the mid-table.

Clearly, after two rounds, the V-League 2025/26 is early shaping its scenario: the title contenders are teams with quality foreign players and a stable core. Teams without high ambitions and average squads like HAGL, SHB Da Nang, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, and Thanh Hoa will face harsh realities in the relegation fight.

Another confirmed fact after round 2 is that domestic players, despite their breakout in round 1, still need to push further if they want to avoid being overshadowed by foreign and overseas Vietnamese players for the rest of the season. Players’ fitness and stamina must be maintained in this long race that demands strong determination.