The bottom group of V-League is tense as a taut string

After round 20, the bottom group of the V-League 2025/26 table is entering a breathless phase as the point gap is extremely tight. From HAGL to SHB Đà Nẵng or PVF CAND, all must fight for every point to cling to hope of staying in the league during the harsh final 6 rounds.

Looking at the current standings, it's hard to find a race more tense than the bottom group.

Just one win could allow a team to "jump" 2-3 positions. But one defeat is enough to drag the whole team down to the bottom of the table. That fragility makes each match now not just 90 minutes, but a real "final" for the teams involved.

HAGLis a typical example of a regrettable loss of momentum for the Mountain Town fans. The draw against Hải Phòng left the team coached by manager Lê Quang Trãi with only 19 points and falling to 12th position.

Notably, in previous seasons,HAGLusually knew how to secure all 3 points in matches against Hải Phòng. But currently, that composure seems to have diminished. The team under manager Quang Trãi lacks no effort, but lacks sharpness at decisive moments.

On the other hand, SHB Đà Nẵng is showing signs of rising thanks to encouragement from club leadership and the large number of fans coming to Chi Lăng stadium. The 3-3 draw against Thể Công Viettel was no less than a spiritual victory that Ngọc Hải and teammates repaid to the cheering fans.

Scoring early then being led, and equalizing in stoppage time, the Han River team played one of their best matches of the season. This result helped SHB Đà Nẵng rise to second-to-last, temporarily escaping the bottom position.

At Chi Lăng stadium, Chairman Hiển came personally to encourage the squad of manager Lê Đức Tuấn. This shows SHB Đà Nẵng can stay in the league as they did last season.

Contrary to that resurgence, PVF CAND is sinking deeper into crisis. The 0-1 defeat against Thanh Hóa FC in a match akin to a "reverse final" caused the team under manager Trần Tiến Đại to fall to the bottom of the table.

Manager Trần Tiến Đạiwho was brought in to replace manager Nguyễn Thành Công for survival, also had to admit opportunities are becoming narrower than ever. PVF CAND's problem lies not only in expertise, but also in the psychology of a newcomer. Đại's students often lose points at crucial moments.

Meanwhile, Thanh Hóa's victory carries immense significance. With 20 points, Thanh Hóa jumped to 10th place, creating a certain gap from the danger group. The highlight of the match was the shining performance of the starU23 VietnamNgọc Mỹ, one of the young faces with rich potential.

Thanh Hóa didn't necessarily play dominantly, but experience and tradition help this club know how to seize opportunities, something their competing rivals lack.

Becamex TP.HCMis also not better off, being held to a draw by Nam Định and falling to 11th place. With the same 20 points as Thanh Hóa but a worse goal difference, the Capital's team is feeling clear pressure from behind.

After round 20, the gap between 10th place and the bottom of the table is very fragile. The remaining six rounds will be a battle of composure, psychology, and resilience.