Round 10 of the 2025/26 First Division: The Championship Race Intensifies

A third straight win "pushes" Bac Ninh Club forward considerably on the league table, as they vie for the runner-up position and find the top spot drawing nearer. Therefore, the intriguing battle at the top of the standings is set to become increasingly captivating on the road ahead.

Under coach Paulo Foiani, Bac Ninh FC is demonstrating an impressive surge, notably with a streak of three consecutive wins: defeating Ho Chi Minh City FC in round 8, overcoming Long An FC in round 9, and in the 10th round, beating the ambitious contender Quang Ninh with a 3-2 scoreline.

The leap by Bac Ninh Club makes the race at the top increasingly exciting and unpredictable. After round 10, Coach Paulo Foiani's squad has 19 points, level with Khatoco Khanh Hoa FC, temporarily placed third due to an inferior tie-breaker. Bac Ninh Club now trails the league leaders, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, by only 5 points—a gap that can certainly be overturned in the long journey ahead this season.

Truong Tuoi Dong Nai Club continues to show a "steady hand," promptly rediscovering the taste of victory in round 10 with a 5-1 win over Dong Thap Club. This victory not only secured 3 points, solidifying their position at the top, but also boosted the morale of Coach Viet Thang and his team on their quest for the championship.

Khatoco Khanh Hoa FC demonstrates resilience, refusing to give up after consecutive stumbles in rounds 8 and 9. Following those two defeats, in the recently concluded round 10, the coastal city team from Nha Trang secured a precious victory against Quy Nhon United. This was a double victory for the club: it came just in time to stay in the race with the remaining contenders and simultaneously restored the confidence they had at the start of the first leg.

The joy for Bac Ninh Club and Khatoco Khanh Hoa is simultaneously the sorrow for contenders Quang Ninh and Quy Nhon United. After defeats against direct rivals within the group, Quang Ninh FC and Quy Nhon United are gradually slipping to the middle of the table, looking at the race ahead from a distance. These teams need powerful leaps to rejoin the competition as soon as possible.

In the relegation battle, Ho Chi Minh City Youth Club and Dong Thap continue to be teams yet to experience victory, forming a distinct group at the bottom. Teams initially assessed to be in the competitive bracket, such as Van Hien University and PVF-CAND Youth, have made strong advances, approaching the top 5 and even ranking above previously named contenders like Quy Nhon United and Quang Ninh.