V-League 2025/26 after 19 rounds: The diverging paths

At this point, the LPBank V-League 2025/26 has split into two groups. Although the point gap is not large, it aligns with what experts predicted. Struggling to find an escape route is the situation for the bottom group as the tournament nears its conclusion.

"Turbulence at the bottom…"

After round 19, the two bottom teams SHB Da Nang and PVF-CAND continued to sink deeper in their relegation battle after losing to Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh FC. Conversely, the top teams continued to secure crucial points in the championship race.

Losing to Nam Dinh, SHB Da Nang's upcoming journey is rugged with formidable challenges like The Cong Viettel and Hanoi FC waiting ahead. Despite missing captain Hoang Duc, coach Bae Ji Won's team pressured PVF-CAND and solidified it with a convincing win. The victory helped Ninh Binh FC maintain a 4-point gap from 4th-placed Hanoi and kept hopes of chasing CAHN alive. PVF-CAND showed they are overwhelmed, stuck at 13th place with exactly 13 points.

Thus, after round 19, the bottom teams remain "stuck in place" and cannot escape as desired. These teams know "the water is rising" and there is no retreat. Therefore, they must strive to accumulate points to "have something in reserve" before it's too late.

It's easy to see the difficulties besieging Becamex TP.HCM, HAGL, Thanh Hoa, PVF-CAND, and SHB Da Nang. These teams are trying to find a way through the narrow path in the fierce relegation battle at this moment. Through each round, even if not every team gets maximum points, securing whatever they can is precious in the current context.

A win by any one of the five bottom-group teams could change the order, even pulling in "allies" from the middle group, because even CATP.HCM, SLNA, or Hong Linh Ha Tinh, though breathing easier, have nothing certain to "rest easy." CATP.HCM, SLNA, Hong Linh Ha Tinh know that just one slip could join them in the "reverse final" lineup.

CAHN touches the Cup with one hand championship

Contrary to the fierce struggle at the bottom, the V-League championship race is increasingly leaning to one side. CAHN Club continued to show impressive form by easily overcoming CATP.HCM.

This victory solidified their top position, maintaining a 7-point gap from second-placed The Cong Viettel. A gap of more than two wins gives CAHN a significant advantage in the remaining V-League stages.

After early exits from continental and regional cup competitions, CAHN is focusing strength to dominate this year's V-League. Coach Mano Polking's team is turning the domestic league into a playground to secure a title at season's end. Under Coach Mano Polking's shaping, CAHN is displaying a scientific attacking style yet solidly robust.

Statistics prove the dominance of the top team. They have lost only one match so far this season. Notably, CAHN possesses the most solid defense and the sharpest attack in this year's V-League.

Not stopping there, Coach Polking's ambitions go further. The team's long-term goal is to break the 64-point milestone in a single season, another legendary record of Hanoi FC in V-League 2018. With their current point-earning efficiency, CAHN fully has the potential to set a new standard for domestic football.

Perhaps the professional quality of the league so far hasn't met expectations, but the tense nature, especially the fierce battles in the relegation fight, makes V-League worth watching. The reality on Vietnamese pitches continues to prove a familiar point: any team can defeat another if playing in form and utilizing opportunities well. When weaker-rated teams can still surprise stronger opponents, that is the distinctive appeal of V-League over many years.