V-League 2025/26: 'There is still fire in the ashes'

LPBank The LPBank V-League 2025/2026 is nearing its conclusion, with the battle to avoid relegation garnering more attention than the race for the championship.

At this point, this season's V-League is unfolding battles within both the top and bottom groups. Some teams have risen, while others have fallen back. However, the gap between teams is not large; even a single victory can turn the situation around.

Round 19 of the competition is likened to a crucial bend, having a huge impact on both the title race and the relegation battle. Everyone wants to secure maximum points, but unfortunately, they are limited—like a narrow blanket, pulling one side exposes the other. These are pivotal matches, opening or closing the door to happiness with an increased chance of survival, or bitterness as relegation looms closer. For instance, Ninh Bình securing all 3 points against PVF-CAND also means Coach Trần Tiến Đại's team "stays stuck in place." Meanwhile, with this win, Ninh Bình still shows they haven't given up in the championship race.

In reality, in recent matches, Ninh Bình FC has shown they have temporarily overcome their crisis. Although not as convincing as their performances early in the season, the three consecutive wins recently are proof. Pragmatism is evident as Ninh Bình brings in crucial points in the race among the top group. If Ninh Bình maintains this "identity," the goal of finishing in the top three by the end of the season is not too difficult.

The championship race is as "hot" as the relegation battle is "fierce." At the bottom of the standings in the remaining rounds, there are literal "reverse finals" as teams face each directly. In theory, as many as 5-7 teams still cannot "rest easy." Teams like Thanh Hóa, SHB Đà Nẵng, and PVF-CAND understand that they must now push themselves to perform. In a context where another misstep brings them closer to the First Division, they have no other choice but to fight to the end with a mindset of "each for themselves."

At this critical juncture, SHB Đà Nẵng has undergone a top-level restructuring. Mr. Nguyễn Huy Tài, Deputy General Director of SHB, replaces Mr. Vũ Nam Thắng in the position of Club Chairman. Japanese expert Yusuke Adachi is appointed as Technical Director. In the most "heated" part—the head coach position—the situation unfolded unexpectedly as the players still trust Coach Lê Đức Tuấn, and the plan to partner with Coach Trần Minh Chiến did not materialize.

The "whirlwind zone" of relegation is sweeping through the Central region teams, forcing them to strain and "hold their breath crossing the river." With nothing left to lose in a situation with no retreat, but how to advance when everything is compressed and stifled is not easy. For example, SHB Đà Nẵng is also straining to play three consecutive matches against strong teams from Nam Định to Thể Công Viettel and then Hà Nội FC. If they fail to secure points quickly, SHB Đà Nẵng truly stands on the brink of danger. It is very possible that the Sông Hàn team will be "pushed" into the bottom positions for a long time.

V-League 2025/2026 is entering crucial bends for each team. There is no other way; clubs must learn to adapt and strive to accumulate points through each of those "bends." To avoid the scenario of "a long night full of dreams," every team in the relegation battle group must protect themselves and save themselves first. Moreover, the relegation race every year is extremely intense, not only in terms of expertise. There is no other choice; the bottom group must fight to find an escape route, even knowing the difficulties ahead.

Every team understands that the upcoming journey of the season will be where they fully demonstrate their qualities in the competitions. The V-League is always fierce and unpredictable. With the two different extremes of the top and bottom groups, the competition promises to deliver exciting, unpredictable developments in the remaining stretch. Teams caught in the "whirlwind zone" of relegation always understand that "there is still fire in the ashes" to fight for a way to stay in the V-League.