National Cup: What opportunities do first-class clubs have? Will Cong Phuong's team explode?

The clubs playing in the first division will have an adventure in the National Cup starting today (September 12), but their chances are not much.

The first match of the 2025-2026 National Cup season will take place at 4:00 p.m. today between the two first-class teams, Ho Chi Minh City Club and Dong Thap Club , at Ba Ria Stadium. With home field advantage, Ho Chi Minh City Club is expected to easily win to advance. Because Dong Thap Club is not financially well-off, they will focus on the goal of competing to avoid relegation in the first-class league, without the ambition to go deep in the National Cup - an arena that is a bit beyond their strength and finances.

Cong Phuong ( right ) promises to play with TTDN on par with Becamex TP.HCM

Photo: Kha Hoa

Who will Cong Phuong's team play in the opening match of the National Cup?

Among the first-class teams competing in the National Cup this season, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai (TTDN) led by coach Nguyen Viet Thang is considered an ambitious club. With a squad including Cong Phuong, Minh Vuong, Xuan Truong, Sam Ngoc Duc, Ho Thanh Minh..., TTDN Club has a quality squad that is not inferior to V-League teams. Therefore, this team is ready to exert all its strength in both the first-class and National Cup fronts.

In the opening match, they will host V-League team Becamex TP.HCM at Binh Phuoc home ground at 7:15 p.m. on September 14. This is a very exciting match, considered "eight taels, half a pound". If they play to their true form, TTDN team can completely win against the V-League representative led by coach Nguyen Anh Duc. The victory in the opening round of the National Cup will be a great motivation for TTDN to compete for promotion to V-League this year, so Cong Phuong and his teammates are very determined in this match.

Another very ambitious first division team is Xuan Thien Phu Tho Club (XTPT, formerly Gia Dinh Club). This team is considered a rival to TTDN competing for promotion to V-League. However, they are unlucky because in the first round they will face V-League team Ninh Binh at 6 p.m. on September 13 at Viet Tri Stadium. Ninh Binh Club with Dang Van Lam, Chau Ngoc Quang, Bao Toan, Nguyen Hoang Duc... is in good form with 3 consecutive wins in V-League, so it is certain that XTPT will not have a chance to go far.

In the first division "derby" match between Long An and Quy Nhon at 4 p.m. on September 13, the home team Long An is likely to win. In the match between the home team Van Hien University and Bac Ninh, the chance to continue will come to the team that tries harder.

Teams like Quang Ninh and Thanh Nien TP.HCM must focus on their main front, the first division, so it is difficult to make a surprise against representatives from V-League.

Match schedule

- September 12 : Ho Chi Minh City Club - Dong Nai (4:00 p.m.).

- September 13 : Long An - Quy Nhon (4:00 p.m.); Xuan Thien Phu Tho - Ninh Binh (6:00 p.m.); Dong A Thanh Hoa - HAGL (6:00 p.m.).

- September 14 : Van Hien University - Bac Ninh (4:00 p.m.); Hong Linh Ha Tinh - Quang Ninh (6:00 p.m.); SHB Da Nang - Thanh Nien TP.HCM (6:00 p.m.); Truong Tuoi Dong Nai - Becamex TP.HCM (7:15 p.m.); The Cong Viettel - Hanoi Club (7:15 p.m.).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/cup-quoc-gia-co-hoi-nao-cho-cac-clb-hang-nhat-doi-cua-cong-phuong-lieu-co-bung-no-18525091119250589.htm