Comments on the match PVF-CAND vs SLNA, 18:00 on August 17: Coach Thach Bao Khanh and his team start their V.League dream

PVF-CAND vs SLNA performance

PVF-CAND is the most special case of V.League 2025/26. Because Quang Nam Club suddenly disbanded before the new season, the team based in Hung Yen received a special slot to replace them.

According to the final rankings of the First Division last season, the ticket should have been awarded to the team that finished in second place, Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc (the predecessor of Truong Tuoi Dong Nai).

However, the Southeast team refused the opportunity due to lack of careful preparation in many factors, especially in terms of personnel.

Suddenly receiving a gift from the sky made PVF-CAND quite passive in their preparation plans. Coach Thach Bao Khanh and his team only had a total of 2 weeks to practice and gather their forces. The members of PVF-CAND mainly came from homegrown products.

Many players in the current PVF-CAND squad have just returned from the 2025 National U21 Finals and the Southeast Asian U23 Championship. But to achieve the goal of remaining in the harsh arena, the team from Hung Yen needs more than that.

To increase the experience factor for the team, Coach Thach Bao Khanh brought back players who have been in the V.League such as Sy Huy (CAHN), Van Dung, Thai Quy (Hanoi), Enyenga, Van Trang, Trung Phong, Hoang Vu Samson (Quang Nam), Anh Quan, Van Thuan (Ninh Binh), Mpande (Nam Dinh), Almarildo (The Cong), Anh Viet (Da Nang)...

Comments on the match PVF-CAND vs SLNA, 18:00 on August 17: Coach Thach Bao Khanh and his team start their V.League dream - photo 2 — The battle between two famous youth training centers may end in a draw (Photo: VPF)

Basically, the PVF-CAND force is relatively abundant. However, the plan to assemble and mold a cohesive team from both new and old elements promises to not be a story of a day or two.

The reception of SLNA in the opening round is considered a suitable test for coach Thach Bao Khanh and the coaching staff to draw necessary lessons, ready for the long and difficult journey ahead.

On the other side of the battle line, despite being a very experienced face in the V.League, SLNA does not possess as strong financial potential as many other opponents. Therefore, in the past few seasons, the Nghe An team has had to make do, patch up, and rely on most of the faces promoted from the youth team.

In addition to recruiting 3 foreign players to play the role of backbone, the North Central representative will still use almost all the players who fought last season, except for mainstay goalkeeper Van Viet who has transferred to The Cong.

The match between two teams representing the most famous youth training centers in Vietnam promises to be worth watching. A point in the opening match is probably enough for both teams to feel satisfied.

PVF-CAND vs SLNA team information

PVF-CAND: Full force.

SLNA: Coach Phan Nhu Thuat has the strongest squad.

Expected lineup PVF-CAND vs SLNA

PVF-CAND: Minh Long, Anh Quan, Hieu Minh, Enyenga, Van Dung, Xuan Bac, Thanh Nhan, Mpande, Ba Dat, Amarildo, Samson

SLNA: Van Binh, Nguyen Hoang, Julian Garcia, Van Khanh, Van Cuong, Manh Quynh, Ba Quyen, Khac Ngoc, Van Quy, Olaha, Reon Dale

Prediction: 1-1