(Live Thanh Hóa vs CAHN) - Following the extended Tet break, the V.League kicks back into action with an important match between Thanh Hóa and CAHN, as both sides seek a win to move past their recent difficulties.
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After the Tet break, Đông Á Thanh Hóa returns with more concerns than excitement. The Thanh Hóa team is still struggling near the bottom of the table, just one fragile point above the danger zone. Despite a recent unbeaten streak of three games yielding 5 points, they remain uneasy in the relegation battle.
Financial difficulties have led to numerous personnel issues as the squad keeps weakening, with many key players and young talents leaving, leaving the coach with only about 16-18 players regularly available.
In recent rounds, Thanh Hóa has had to rely more on spirit than squad depth. At times, goalkeeper Xuân Hoàng was even ready to play as a forward if necessary, highlighting a severe shortage of players. Nonetheless, the team’s fighting spirit remains commendable.
They once came back from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Nam Định and secured an important 2-1 win over CA TP.HCM. However, with an increasingly tight schedule, maintaining high intensity with such a thin squad is a major challenge. Thanh Hóa enters the match against CAHN with a fragile lineup and limited rotation options.
On the other hand, CAHN has also recently faced difficulties on the international stage being eliminated from the Southeast Asian Champions Cup and the Asian Cup 2. In less than a month, they suffered 4 losses in 8 matches, mostly in overseas competitions. Yet, in the V.League, the police team shows a completely different face. They remain unbeaten this season and have won 5 consecutive domestic matches.
Thanks to their consistent form, CAHN currently leads the standings and has significantly improved their championship chances. They are 2 points ahead of Ninh Bình with 2 games in hand. If they capitalize on this advantage, the gap could widen to 8 points, providing a strong edge in the long title race.
The head-to-head record also favors the capital’s team, as in the past two years, CAHN has won 3 and lost only 1 against Thanh Hóa. In their last two away matches at Thanh Hóa, they secured victories and scored 6 goals.
Given the squad comparison and clear objectives, CAHN is rated higher. Meanwhile, Thanh Hóa must rely on fighting spirit and home advantage to hope for an upset. This encounter is therefore crucial for both sides: one needs points to escape danger, the other aims to accelerate their title pursuit.