Comments on the match The Cong vs CA TP.HCM, 7:15 p.m. August 22: When the "dark horse" challenges the championship candidate

The Cong vs CA TP.HCM performance

The Cong did not have a perfect start to the new season. If we only look at the 1-1 draw in the capital derby against CAHN, it can be considered a success for coach Velizar Popov and his team. However, in reality, the performance of the army team did not meet expectations.

During the 90 minutes of competition at Hang Day, The Cong only had 6 shots and 1 of the 2 shots on target turned into a goal. On the other hand, Van Phong's goal had to endure more than double the pressure from the opponent.

If the CAHN strikers had been more disciplined and taken advantage of their opportunities, The Cong might have left the field empty-handed. To prove that the team is capable of competing for the V.League championship, Bui Tien Dung and his teammates need to play better quality football soon.

The reception of CA TP.HCM will once again test the mettle of coach Popov and his team. Because compared to last season, the opponent has transformed, possessing many new names and personnel appearances.

The test at Hang Day will probably determine whether The Cong has enough potential to compete with big opponents like Nam Dinh and CAHN.

After being transferred to the police force, Ho Chi Minh City Police Department has made major reforms in its force. On the coaching bench, the monument of Vietnamese football in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, Le Huynh Duc, was given the task of captain.

Besides, HCMC Police also made very strong moves in the transfer market when bringing in 14 new players.

We can mention Tien Linh (Binh Duong), Pham Duc Huy (Binh Dinh), Chu Van Kien (Hanoi FC), Van Luan (CAHN) or Van Lam ( Quang Nam ).

In terms of foreign players, the team from the city named after Uncle Ho also spent heavily to recruit Matheus Felipe (valued at 1 million euros - the most expensive in V.League 2025/26) and Raphael Schorr Utzig (850,000 euros).

Thanks to quality reforms, CA TP.HCM created a surprise in the opening match. Although rated lower than Hanoi FC, the home team Thong Nhat Stadium delighted the home fans with a 2-1 victory. Tien Linh and Huy Toan contributed 2 goals to help coach Le Huynh Duc and his team have a perfect start.

With high morale, CA TP.HCM may bring many challenges to the goal of earning 3 points of the other capital representative, The Cong. In the last 4 encounters between the two sides, the away team has only lost 1, drawn 2 and won 1. Therefore, the scenario of getting points in the trip to the north of Tien Linh and his teammates is still very bright.

Information on The Cong force vs HCM City Police

The Cong: No notable faces are absent.

HCMC Police: Full force.

Expected lineup The Cong vs CA TP.HCM

The Cong: Van Phong, Tien Dung, Colonna, Van Khang, Van Toan, Pedro Henrique, Tien Anh, Wesley Nata, Viet Tu, Xuan Tien, Lucao

HCMC Police: Le Giang, Endrick, Gia Bao, Quang Hung, Matheus Felipe, Mbo, Phu Duc, Quoc Cuong, Hoang Phuc, Huy Toan, Tien Linh

Prediction: 1-1