The Vietnam U23 generation will rewrite history for PVF CAND

Having failed twice in past playoff encounters, PVF CAND carries heavy pressure as they prepare to face Bac Ninh. But this time, Coach Tran Tien Dai's squad features a gifted crop of U23 Vietnam talents and multiple advantages that could help them change their fate.

The playoff match for the final spot in the 2026/27 V-League betweenPVF CANDandBac Ninhis more than just a game deciding promotion or survival.

For PVF CAND, the 6:00 PM match on June 12 at Ha Tinh Stadium is also a chance to erase the painful memories that have lingered for years whenever they face a decisive game.

In their two previous playoff appearances, this club lost both times. In 2019, then known as Pho Hien, they were defeated by Thanh Hoa in the battle for a V.League spot.

Then in the 2023/24 season, PVF CAND again fell short against Hong Linh Ha Tinh despite being considered a team with great potential. Those defeats have created an annoying curse for PVF CAND.

But this time, PVF CAND enters the game from a different position. Coach Tran Tien Dai's men are a team that has just endured a grueling V-League season, an environment considered far more challenging than the First Division.

Although they finished 13th and had to play a playoffto secure their top-flight status, Coach Tran Tien Dai's squad is still rated slightly higher than Bac Ninh in terms of match experience, pace of play, and ability to handle pressure.

More importantly, PVF CAND currently possesses a highly talented generation of U23 Vietnam players such as Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Ly Duc, Xuan Bac, and Anh Quan. These are individuals who have been tested in major tournaments and are seen as the future of Vietnamese football.

After two playoff failures, this group of players understands they are not just playing for one match—they carry the responsibility of changing the club's history.

Coach Tran Tien Dai also deserves encouragement. Taking over the team during a difficult period, he helped PVF CAND avoid direct relegation like Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, keeping their fate in their own hands through the playoff. That is a significant achievement for a club that went through a turbulent season.

Although Bac Ninh is a First Division representative, they are no easy opponents. The club has received strong investment and professional support from advisorPark Hang Seoand boasts many experienced figures like Hai Huy, Duc Chinh, Tuan Linh, Mai Xuan Quyet, and Xuan Tan.

In particular, the top scorer of this season's First Division, Bruno Cunha, previously had a standout stint in the V-League and remains in excellent form with 10 goals this year. In a match decided by just 90 minutes or a penalty shootout, the experience of players like Bruno can make all the difference.

Bac Ninh coach Paulo Foiani previously worked alongside Coach Tran Tien Dai at CAHN during their V-League championship-winning season in 2023. The two know each other very well, making this playoff highly unpredictable.

Nevertheless, history still favors the V-League representative. Over the years, V-League clubs have often dominated First Division teams in playoff matches. Most recently, SHB Da Nang defeated Truong Tuoi Dong Nai to stay up.

Before that, Hong Linh Ha Tinh themselves overcame PVF CAND. The last time a First Division team won a playoff was over a decade ago.

This highlights the clear gap in quality between the two divisions. The intensity of the V-League helps teams like PVF CAND develop better match composure, especially in high-pressure games.