V-League Relegation Battle: Choosing Your Opponents to Play

25/08/2025 10:02:00 pandatv

This tactic is very commonly seen among clubs battling relegation, and similarly among those competing for the championship.

Last season, after a 0-3 home loss to Nam Định in the final phase, Hanoi FC officially conceded defeat in the two-team race.

During squad preparation and opponent analysis before the new season, clubs with limited financial resources and whose main goal is survival often show little interest in matches against stronger teams. These games risk player losses (due to injury or suspension), depletion of resources, and disorientation.

All tactical preparations before each round focus solely on specific opponents. This season, about 4-5 teams will fight to avoid the two direct relegation spots. These include SLNA, SHB Đà Nẵng, Thanh Hóa, Hải Phòng, newcomer PVF CAND, and HAGL. They will compete against each other.

In theory, yes, but surprisingly, in round 2, SLNA unexpectedly defeated defending champions Nam Định 2-1. If Olaha’s valid goal had not been disallowed, the score might have been even higher. This play demonstrated the cunning and great effort of Khắc Ngọc, a native of Nghệ An but formerly of Nam Định, though referee Ngọc Ánh made an error by denying the goal in a match without VAR.

However, SLNA was not the only team to cause surprises in round 2. SHB Đà Nẵng, despite thorough preseason preparation, still lost to Hà Tĩnh at Hòa Xuân. At Hàng Đẫy, Hanoi FC again dropped points against HAGL, and CA TP.HCM suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Thể Công Viettel—other interesting results as well...

Holding Hanoi FC (in white) to a draw at Hàng Đẫy can be considered a surprise that HAGL created in round 2. Photo: Hoàng Linh

Talking about HAGL this season, they are truly the number one candidate for relegation. Their squad is both young and weak, while their foreign players lack sharpness (a characteristic for the past 15 years). The Mountainous City team has had trial matches at the 2025 ThaiGroup Cup in Quảng Nam and even toured Thailand, but it will take much more time to polish these raw gems to V-League level.

After the first two rounds, Ninh Bình currently leads with a perfect winning record. Strong players and capable leadership, the team from the ancient capital openly aims for the championship from the start. Their 4-0 victory over neighboring Thanh Hóa was very convincing. However, Ninh Bình should remember that Nam Định, CAHN, Hanoi FC, and Thể Công Viettel remain strong contenders who will seriously compete for the title.

Returning to the issue raised at the beginning of the article, it seems that instability affects not only SLNA, Thanh Hóa, and HAGL. SLNA’s failure to win against direct rival PVF CAND on opening day is a significant disadvantage. Meanwhile, HAGL also suffered a weak loss at Pleiku Arena against Becamex TP.HCM. As mentioned, since coach Popov left, Thanh Hóa has lost its fiery and effective style and is no better than HAGL.

The 2025/2026 V-League will pause after round 3 (with the last match on August 30 between Thể Công Viettel and B. TP.HCM) to make way for nearly a month of FIFA Days. This break is seen as a second chance for teams to readjust their plans, choose their opponents carefully, and play with full effort instead of wasting energy!

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