What if Hoang Duc and Van Lam played in the First Division?

" HOT" LIKE NEVER BEFORE

The gap in quality between the V-League and the First Division has always been a problem for Vietnamese football. The V-League is the highest-level professional league in Vietnam, bringing together the best players, alongside foreign players, naturalized players, and players of Vietnamese origin. The First Division, on the other hand, mainly consists of young players or those past their prime. The inability to use foreign players also lowers the quality of the league in terms of professionalism, facilities, and ambition.

Hoang Duc joins Ninh Binh Club with a huge contract.

However, this season is witnessing significant changes. For example, Binh Phuoc FC has recruited former national team player Nguyen Cong Phuong with an extremely high contract fee, as a guarantee of the company's long-term investment commitment in football. Besides contracts with Cong Phuong, Tan Truong, and Sam Ngoc Duc, all former Vietnamese national team players, Binh Phuoc FC is also collaborating with Technical Director Yusuke Adachi (former Technical Director of the Vietnam Football Federation), along with a team of experts from Japan, from the management to the coaching staff. Recently, Binh Phuoc FC also renovated its stadium and resurfaced the grass. Once a financially struggling team seemingly resigned to its fate in the First Division, the spectacular transformation of the team coached by former national team player Nguyen Anh Duc will bring a fresh breeze, pushing the standard of the First Division upwards.

The 2024-2025 First Division also features a prominent contender: Ninh Binh. The team from the ancient capital made a big move by bringing in Vietnamese Golden Ball winner Nguyen Hoang Duc and Vietnamese Bronze Ball winner Dang Van Lam. Led by coach Nguyen Viet Thang, the team boasts a quality squad comparable to many V-League teams. With these major signings, Ninh Binh's ultimate goal is undoubtedly promotion.

For a long time, the First Division has struggled to make breakthroughs, lacking the appeal and fierce competition of the V-League. The minimum participation cost of 50 billion VND, along with numerous investments such as acquiring foreign players, recruiting talented domestic players, and strengthening youth teams, may be the reason why many teams lack the drive to reach the V-League, instead playing cautiously in the First Division without clear motivation. With at least three teams aiming for promotion this season (competing for 1.5 spots in the V-League), the First Division will be fiery and unpredictable.

Van Lam became teammates with Hoang Duc in the First Division.

PLAYERS ARE IMPORTANT

Will playing in the First Division cause Hoang Duc and Van Lam's skill level to decline? This is a question many viewers are asking. However, commentator Vu Quang Huy believes fans should look at it from a more positive perspective: "The First Division environment will be different from the V-League, but with professionalism and hard work, Vietnamese national team players can still maintain high performance. Especially for players who don't play regularly for their clubs like Cong Phuong (he left Japan with very few appearances), getting regular experience in the First Division will be a good opportunity for Phuong to rediscover himself. In my opinion, the First Division will be much more attractive and competitive than before thanks to the influx of many quality players."

Football expert Doan Minh Xuong commented that it's undeniable the First Division's level is not as good as the V-League, and this reality won't change even with the addition of stars like Hoang Duc and Van Lam. "However, step by step, Vietnamese national team players will make the league more interesting to watch, especially in internal clashes between strong teams like Ninh Binh, Binh Phuoc, or PVF-CAND. Many people worry that Van Lam, Cong Phuong, or other national team players playing in the First Division will struggle to develop, but in reality, progress depends first on their training attitude and professionalism, and then on the training and competition environment. There will be doubts about whether superstars, receiving such large contract fees or salaries, will still want to strive; only time will tell. If the superstars remain dedicated, the First Division will be very interesting."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hoang-duc-van-lam-da-hang-nhat-thi-sao-185241011182444255.htm