After round 7 of the V-League: A thrilling battle for the top spot, the bottom group eager for victory

Newcomer Ninh Binh remains high on the V-League table following their 2-1 win against Hanoi FC on the opponent’s ground, preserving their undefeated streak through 7 matches.

Ninh Binh keeps flying high, Viettel Army closely follows

The most notable match took place at Hang Day Stadium, where Ninh Binh impressively defeated Hanoi FC 2-1 on the debut of coach Harry Kewell. Despite heavy pressure in the first half, the visitors held firm thanks to the outstanding performance of goalkeeper Dang Van Lam. In the second half, Daniel Da Silva and Quoc Viet scored consecutively to secure Ninh Binh’s fifth victory, keeping them at the top with 17 points.

Two days later, also at Hang Day Stadium, Viettel Army came from behind to beat SHB Da Nang 2-1. Coach Velizar Popov’s tactical changes paid off as both substitutes Dinh Xuan Tien and Nham Manh Dung scored. With this win, Viettel Army reached 15 points, trailing Ninh Binh closely, while Hanoi Police (14 points with one game in hand) temporarily sits third. These three teams remain the only ones unbeaten after 7 rounds, demonstrating their stability and resilience in the title race.

The bottom group still craving wins

At the lower end, HAGL disappointed again with a 0-3 loss at Lach Tray Stadium against home side Hai Phong. The coastal team started strongly with two goals in the first 10 minutes, before Luiz Antonio sealed the score at the 84th minute. Meanwhile, HAGL remains in crisis, having yet to win (3 draws, 3 losses), scoring just one goal while conceding eight, officially dropping to the bottom after round 7.

Dong A Thanh Hoa Club also has not secured their first win despite strong efforts. Playing away at PVF-CAND Stadium, coach Popov’s team led 1-0 thanks to Nguyen Hoang’s goal but conceded a comeback to lose 2-1. Although Van Loi equalized at the 78th minute to make it 2-2, Thanh Hoa had to settle for a draw, marking their fourth stalemate. With 4 points after 7 rounds, Thanh Hoa stands just above HAGL but has the worst defense in the league, conceding 13 goals.

The remaining match between Ho Chi Minh City Police and Hong Linh Ha Tinh ended in a 0-0 draw. This result helps the city team maintain their top 3 position with 14 points, but they could be overtaken by Viettel, who have one match left to play.

The race promises great excitement

Round 7 of the V-League showed notable balance among teams, with most away sides earning points. From the top to the bottom groups, the gap remains narrow; just a few wins could completely reshape the league standings.

Notably, Ninh Binh’s rise brings fresh energy to the season, while major names like Viettel, Hanoi Police, Ho Chi Minh City Police, and Hanoi continue striving to break away. At the bottom, Thanh Hoa and HAGL need to improve quickly or risk falling behind in the relegation battle.