Commentator Quang Huy: 'In V-League, any calculation can be overturned'

The LPBank V-League 2025/2026 is entering a crucial stage with increasingly unpredictable developments. While CAHN holds a "leading edge" in the championship race, the relegation battle heats up in the lower half of the standings. The narrow point gap means any plan can be reversed after just one match.

BLV Vu Quang Huy perceives that the V-League situation is creating a true "survival vortex" at the bottom of the table: "The league is witnessing fierce competition, especially in the relegation battle as many teams have yet to secure a safe distance. The remaining rounds truly represent a series of 'reverse finals' at the bottom, with teams facing direct confrontations. In theory, up to 5-7 teams are still not assured of staying up, making the relegation fight more unpredictable than ever.

Round 20 this weekend may become a pivotal "turning point" for the league. There, CAHN could potentially decisively break away from the chasing pack in the title race. Conversely, the teams trailing in the lower half of the standings will become more clearly defined. Clearly, the race is no longer a long-distance story, but a matter of accumulating points at each match, each critical moment. Every match now brings a turning point for each team.

The focus of this round is the chase for the final top-3 spot between Ninh Binh and Hanoi FC, as well as the "reverse final" when Thanh Hoa hosts PVF-CAND. Ninh Binh welcomes Hanoi FC, in a context where the championship race is increasingly out of reach, both teams have set securing a position in the medal group as their ultimate goal. This match is not only about points but also an opportunity for Hanoi FC to "redeem" their loss in the first leg.

Ninh Binh is demonstrating high form in the decisive stage. Coach Bae Ji Won's team has a streak of 4 consecutive wins. Conversely, Hanoi FC is also strongly revitalized under Coach Harry Kewell. Except for an unexpected loss to Hai Phong, the Capital team has won 4 out of their last 5 matches. However, the 4-point gap behind Ninh Binh forces Hanoi FC to secure all 3 points in their visit to the ancient capital Hoa Lu if they wish to maintain hope of breaking into the top 3. It won't be easy in this away match, but the mandate for Hanoi FC is to win, to keep hope for the "final sprint" that has been proven many times in the V-League.

For CAHN, the road ahead is not entirely smooth as they still face teams "hungry" for points like SLNA, Thanh Hoa, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, but if they maintain this form, an early championship story is not impossible.

BLV Vu Quang Huy views the relegation race not merely as a technical matter: "It is also about resilience, experience, and the ability to withstand pressure of each team. Teams that know how to 'make the most of their resources,' carefully accumulating each point, will have more opportunities in the final stage. At this moment, names like Thanh Hoa, SHB Da Nang, or PVF-CAND all understand there is no room for mistakes. One misstep could push a team closer to the ticket down to the First Division.

Looking at the upcoming schedule, SHB Da Nang will be very concerned as they consecutively face The Cong Viettel and Hanoi FC. These are precisely the two teams from which SHB Da Nang has historically struggled to earn points. But there is no other choice; Coach Le Duc Tuan and his team must brace themselves to overcome difficulties, before dreaming of the decisive points in the remaining 5 rounds.

The "six-point" match between Thanh Hoa and PVF-CAND will be a fiery showdown. Playing at home, the Thanh region team naturally holds many psychological advantages in hosting PVF-CAND.

Conversely, PVF-CAND also does not have their best squad for this encounter. In the first leg, the two teams drew, so this return match promises to be highly unpredictable. It is very possible that the two teams will hold each back in this match.