V.League 1-2025/2026: The bottom group makes a strong comeback

The first three matches of round 13 took place on February 7. Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Club was not favored when traveling to Ninh Bình’s stadium. Ninh Bình was eager for a win to reclaim the top spot after a 2-3 loss to Công an Hà Nội in round 12. Unexpectedly, coach Quang Trãi’s team achieved their first away victory convincingly against a strong squad (a championship contender) through tight and effective gameplay.

Hoàng Anh Gia Lai opened the scoring at the 16th minute with Minh Tâm’s goal. The home team Ninh Bình tried to control the game and press forward to equalize. In the second half, Geovane Magno scored a beautiful free kick to level the score at 1-1. At the 85th minute, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai sealed the match 2-1 with a fast counterattack, Marciel da Silva scoring past goalkeeper Văn Lâm. This win lifted Hoàng Anh Gia Lai to 8th place in the standings.

At Bình Dương Stadium, Becamex TP Hồ Chí Minh aimed for 3 points against a well-matched opponent, PVF-CAND, to accumulate points before the second half of the season. The home team started well, scoring first at the 18th minute by Tấn Tài. However, PVF-CAND staged a comeback with goals from Hoàng Vũ Samson (23rd minute) and Thái Bá Đạt (59th minute), securing a 2-1 away victory. This loss, considered a “relegation final,” puts Becamex TP Hồ Chí Minh at risk of slipping into the bottom group, as the point gap is very narrow.

Ninh Bình’s slip opened chances for other contenders in the top race. At Hàng Đẫy Stadium, players Fisher and Đỗ Hoàng Hên (Hendrio) helped Hà Nội Club win 2-0 over Hải Phòng, temporarily moving up to 4th place. With 21 points after 13 rounds, the capital team is close to the top 3, gaining confidence and momentum for the upcoming season journey.

The next two matches of round 13 took place yesterday (February 8). Thể Công Viettel wanted to take advantage of Ninh Bình’s previous loss to close the points gap. Their opponent, fighting relegation, was Sông Lam Nghệ An Club. However, Thể Công Viettel suffered a shocking 1-4 defeat at Hàng Đẫy Stadium.

As early as the 3rd minute, Justin Garcia scored for the visiting Sông Lam Nghệ An. By the 20th minute, striker Lucao equalized for the home team at 1-1. In the remaining time, coach Văn Sỹ Sơn’s players added three more goals by Olaha (a brace) and Dale Moore. This result helped the Nghệ An team rise toward the mid-table group. Meanwhile, this was Thể Công Viettel’s second loss in the first half and their heaviest defeat by score. The loss cost them the chance to reduce the gap with Công an Hà Nội and reopen the title race.

At Thống Nhất Stadium, fans witnessed another surprise as bottom-group team Đông Á Thanh Hóa fought hard to beat home team Công an TP Hồ Chí Minh. The hero for the visitors was Laotian Vietnamese Damoth Thongkhamsavath, who scored both goals at the 9th and 76th minutes. The only goal for Công an TP Hồ Chí Minh was by player Makrillos at the 14th minute.

The final match of round 13 took place today (February 9). At Thiên Trường Stadium, Thép Xanh Nam Định still could not secure all 3 points when hosting 7th-ranked Hồng Lĩnh Hà Tĩnh. With home advantage, the Nam team scored early through Percy Tau (4th minute). However, in injury time (90+8 minutes), the visitors unexpectedly equalized 1-1 with a goal by Balotelli. Losing the home win, defending champions Thép Xanh Nam Định remain stuck in 12th place with 12 points after 13 rounds.

In this round, Công an Hà Nội Club requested to postpone their match against SHB Đà Nẵng. Facing a tight schedule with ASEAN Shopee Cup and AFC Champions League 2 commitments, Công an Hà Nội had a packed calendar: Shopee Cup on February 4 and AFC Champions League 2 on February 11 & 18. Postponing the round 13 match (rescheduled for March 22, 2026) was a strategic move to focus fully on the Asian competition, where they have reached the round of 16.

Matches for round 14 of V.League 1-2025/2026 will continue from February 28 to March 1.