Round 10 of the LPBank V-League 2025/26: Ninh Bình FC accelerates

04/11/2025 06:52:00 GameGladiator

Round 10 begins on November 4 and 5 with many tense scenarios at both ends of the league table. Two matches, Thanh Hóa – CAHN and Thể Công Viettel – Nam Định, were postponed due to teams’ international duties, reducing this round to five fixtures, but they remain highly noteworthy.

Hoàng Đức’s squad is in remarkable form, holding 21 points after 9 rounds, just one point ahead of second-placed CAHN. The 1-1 draw against Becamex TP.HCM last round served as a warning that Ninh Bình still has weaknesses in finishing.

However, continuing to play at home against SLNA gives coach Gerard Castano’s team a chance to maintain their lead. SLNA, currently fighting relegation and playing inconsistently, provides the perfect opportunity for Hoàng Đức and his teammates to regain their winning streak.

Ninh Bình, with a well-balanced lineup of stars across all positions and a costly lesson from the recent draw with Becamex TP.HCM, is expected to play more focused. Although SLNA has strong fighting spirit, they lack squad depth and a star capable of making decisive plays. A win would help Ninh Bình solidify first place and put significant pressure on chasing teams like CAHN and Thể Công Viettel.

If SLNA loses to Ninh Bình this week, they risk falling to the bottom of the table. The relegation zone is currently very tight, with five clubs tied at 7 points. PVF-CAND shares SLNA’s situation and will play away at Hà Nội FC’s Hàng Đẫy stadium this week.

Coach Thạch Bảo Khanh’s team needs points to move up, while Hà Nội FC cannot afford more defeats under coach Harry Kewell. Kewell’s leadership has caused concern among fans, with two losses and one win in three matches managing the capital club. Hà Nội FC currently has 11 points, ranking 7th, a disappointing result for the league’s most ambitious and traditional club.

PVF-CAND is a suitable opponent for Hà Nội to regain winning form. Despite having talented young players like Thanh Nhàn, Xuân Bắc, and Hiểu Minh, coach Thạch Bảo Khanh’s team is inexperienced and has dropped into the relegation zone.

PVF-CAND’s defensive counter-attack style troubles many teams, but with home advantage and a superior squad, Hà Nội FC is favored and expected to claim all three points to fuel their title race.

Facing a relegation-threatened SLNA at home is an opportunity for Hoàng Đức and his teammates to realize their goal of victory. Photo: Minh Hoàng

Coach Kewell’s biggest challenge is not tactical but motivating the players and enforcing discipline. Failure to defeat a V-League newcomer like PVF-CAND could seriously question the Australian coach’s future.

Another key match in the relegation battle is between Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh and HAGL at Hà Tĩnh stadium. Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh is in excellent form, having just defeated Hà Nội FC 2-1 and could break into the top 5 with another win this round. HAGL has also revived strongly with 4 points from their last two games against Nam Định and Thể Công Viettel.

However, HAGL is notoriously unstable when playing away. Under sporting director Vũ Tiến Thành, the Mountain team is reshaping its style based on youth and teamwork but still lacks a quality foreign striker to share the offensive load. 20-year-old striker Minh Tâm, with 2 goals, is a rare bright spot and proof of the team’s domestic talent.

If they secure at least one point, HAGL can temporarily escape last place. But if they lose, they will remain at the bottom and face intense pressure as the lower group fights for every point.

At Hoà Xuân stadium, SHB Đà Nẵng hosts Công an TP.HCM in a match that could directly affect the relegation race. The visitors face a severe squad crisis as key foreign players like Endrick and Utzig are injured, forcing coach Lê Huỳnh Đức to rely heavily on young players.

Though Công an TP.HCM has Tiến Linh and young striker Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường (who has scored 3 goals this season), their attack still lacks sharpness, as admitted by coach Lê Huỳnh Đức.

SHB Đà Nẵng, conversely, is improving compared to last year. Their 1-1 draw with SLNA in round 9 showed better spirit and ball control. At home, SHB Đà Nẵng has a solid chance to earn three points and create a safe gap from the relegation zone.

Another southern football representative facing challenges in round 10 is Becamex TP.HCM. Meeting an overconfident Hải Phòng is a scenario no club wants. After a 2-1 comeback win at Thống Nhất against Công an TP.HCM, Hải Phòng is on a 5-match unbeaten streak (including 3 consecutive wins).

Hải Phòng has risen to 4th place with 17 points, just 4 behind leaders Ninh Bình and 3 behind second-placed CAHN. Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm’s team faces a lower-ranked Becamex TP.HCM this week, a perfect chance to extend their winning streak.

Hải Phòng’s strength lies in their foreign trio Friday – Tagueu – Luiz Antonio, who have scored 12 goals this season. These three provide varied and effective attacking options, combined with the fiery spirit of domestic players like Việt Hưng, Hữu Nam, Nhật Minh, and Bùi Tiến Dụng. Meanwhile, although Becamex TP.HCM has improved under coach Đặng Trần Chỉnh, they remain fragile against well-organized and in-form teams like Hải Phòng.

A full 3-point win would bring Hải Phòng to 20 points, equal with second-placed CAHN and just one point behind Ninh Bình, officially joining the title contenders group.

Round 10 Schedule

Tuesday (November 4)

18:00, Hà Tĩnh stadium: Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh – HAGL

19:15, Hàng Đẫy stadium: Hà Nội FC – PVF CAND

Wednesday (November 5)

18:00, Ninh Bình stadium: Ninh Bình – SLNA

18:00, Bình Dương stadium: Becamex TP.HCM - Hải Phòng

18:00, Hoà Xuân stadium: SHB Đà Nẵng – Công an TP.HCM

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