Surprise from rookies and overseas Vietnamese

The four strong candidates for the championship, Nam Dinh , Hanoi FC, Hanoi Police (CAHN) and The Cong Viettel, all had an unsatisfactory start to the first round. Hanoi FC lost 1-2 at Thong Nhat Stadium to Ho Chi Minh City Police on the opening day. The capital team controlled the ball a lot but was ineffective in finishing, and also made defensive mistakes.

Defending champions Nam Dinh also had to rely on two late goals from Ly Cong Hoang Anh and Kevin Pham Ba to come from behind to beat Hai Phong 2-1 at Thien Truong Stadium. CAHN and The Cong Viettel shared points in a dramatic capital derby, where CAHN's experience was only enough to keep 1 point against the fierce play of their youthful opponents.

These stumbles show that the “big guys” have not reached their best form, while also confirming the clear progress of the mid-level teams. With this year’s season applying two direct relegation slots, the fierceness has increased, forcing every club to enter the game with a fierce spirit right from the first round.

While the championship candidates had a difficult start, the rookies had an inspiring debut. Having to play away against Hong Linh Ha Tinh (the phenomenon of last season), Ninh Binh was not shaken. Despite being behind early, coach Albadalejo Castano Gerard and his team still fought back strongly to win 3-1 thanks to goals from Duc Chien, Quang Nho and Gia Hung. An away win not only brought 3 points, but also affirmed that Ninh Binh has enough potential to be ranked among the candidates competing for the championship.

Newcomer PVF-CAND also made their mark with a 2-1 victory over SLNA. Despite only having a few days to prepare, the young team under coach Thach Bao Khanh played with passion, affirming their aspirations in the professional arena. Although not a complete rookie, Ho Chi Minh City Police can still be considered a "newbie" of the season. In the opening match, they defeated Hanoi FC 2-1, ending a series of consecutive losses for many years.

This victory is not only a meaningful gift for Ho Chi Minh City fans, but also a declaration of the return of a once-famous force. Notably, another “rookie in the form of a veteran”, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, also had a great start when they defeated HAGL 3-0 at Pleiku Arena, temporarily leading the rankings after round 1.

In addition to the professional results, the opening round also recorded a vibrant atmosphere in the stands. According to statistics, a total of 46,450 spectators came to the stadium, an average of 6,636 people/match. Hang Day Stadium, where the derby between CAHN and The Cong took place, welcomed the most spectators (11,950 people), followed by Thong Nhat Stadium with a grand opening ceremony (10,000 people).

Another notable highlight is the presence of many overseas Vietnamese players. The expansion of the quota to 2 slots/club has turned V-League into an attractive destination, not only for established goalkeepers and stars such as Van Lam, Patrik Le Giang, Kevin Pham Ba, but also for new young players such as Chung Nguyen Do, Brandon Ly or Vadim Nguyen.

In the opening round, Chung Nguyen Do (Ninh Binh) entered the field in the second half and contributed to the decisive goal of 3-1 against Hong Linh Ha Tinh. Vadim Nguyen (Da Nang) also played aggressively, almost assisting a goal with a technical pass. Both showed great potential, opening up additional options for U23 Vietnam as the team prepares for the 2025 Asian qualifiers.

In fact, the wave of overseas Vietnamese contributes to increasing the competitiveness of the V-League. They bring international training foundations, professional style, and at the same time, supplement personnel options for the national team. The remaining problem is the ability to integrate into the Vietnamese football environment, which is different in culture, lifestyle and playing style.

However, if they adapt well, they can become strategic players for coach Kim Sang-sik and later the national team. This is the source of "new alluvium" that Vietnamese football needs to exploit effectively.

The opening round of V-League 2025/26 shows a colorful picture: Championship candidates falter, rookies explode, overseas Vietnamese leave their mark. When "all beginnings are difficult" have passed with unpredictable surprises, fans have the right to expect an explosive season, where the throne belongs to only the truly brave and ambitious team.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/bat-ngo-den-tu-tan-binh-va-viet-kieu-162479.html