The V-League is extremely "heated" at both ends of the standings.

03/11/2025 06:53:00 ScoreStream

After 9 rounds, the LPBank order The V-League 2025/26 suddenly became "heated" at both ends as clubs are separated by tiebreakers or small point gaps. Notably, the defending champions Nam Định along with several big names are struggling in the lower half of the standings, surprising everyone.

1. With only 1 point earned at Pleiku against HAGL, Nam Định has not changed their luck since coach Nguyễn Trung Kiên replaced Vũ Hồng Việt. Considering their current position and poor results, it’s hard to believe but true. 9 matches, 9 points, 8th place – numbers that greatly disappoint Nam fans.

Nam Định’s decline can be partly explained by their involvement in many competitions and an "injury storm." However, this does not fully explain it as they still have quality players. Losing to Becamex TP.HCM, a narrow draw with SHB Đà Nẵng, and conceding a point to HAGL show the defending champions’ authority has diminished significantly.

This season, Nam Định heavily invested in foreign players aiming to break through internationally, while their domestic players have declined. The club did not expect the drop in form or sudden injuries, with some players already past their peak.

These are "weak spots" which, if not addressed quickly, could cause bigger crises. The risk of "losing everything" in both the V-League and continental competitions is no longer just a sign but a clear reality for Nam Định.

If Nam Định shows signs of crisis, Hanoi FC also has not overcome this tough phase. Hanoi FC is struggling under new coach Harry Kewell. Although their style has improved, inconsistent performance is insufficient to quickly regain former glory. Hanoi FC may improve gradually, but the teams above are not standing still.

Nam Định (right) is showing a significant decline in form compared to the past two seasons. Photo: Nhật Anh

Coach Lê Huỳnh Đức has also failed to extend Công an TP.HCM’s impressive streak. After two straight losses, Công an TP.HCM remains in 5th place. These defeats highlight the team’s difficulty against defensive opponents. Though still in the top group, Công an TP.HCM is likely to face challenges ahead.

2. With 21 points from 9 unbeaten games (6 wins, 3 draws), Ninh Bình FC leads the table, but CAHN is right behind with one point less. Additionally, coach Polking’s team still has a postponed round 4 match to play.

Assuming CAHN wins that match, they would surpass Ninh Bình FC. This shows the growing pressure on Ninh Bình. It may no longer be an easy path forward. As the saying goes, "to move fast, you must go slow," the Hoa Lư team likely realizes the V-League is tougher than the First Division.

SHB Đà Nẵng and HAGL both gained points in round 9 but have yet to rise higher. The order at the bottom remains mostly unchanged as many teams are clustered. With close points, the bottom group’s situation can quickly change after one round. The question is which team can win to quickly escape these spots before the league’s long break.

This V-League season has passed one-third of its journey. It’s unclear if Hanoi FC and Nam Định can recover in time to "fuel" the title race. Without major changes or positive signs in rounds 10 and 11 before the break, Nam Định and Hanoi FC may just be "spectators" in the championship fight.

Likely, Ninh Bình FC and CAHN will create a two-team race. Meanwhile, the relegation battle will involve Central Vietnam’s teams: SHB Đà Nẵng, SLNA, Thanh Hóa, HAGL, and newcomer PVF-CAND.

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