Match preview: The Cong vs Ho Chi Minh City Police, 7:15 PM, August 22nd: When the "dark horse" challenges the championship contender.

The performance of The Cong vs Ho Chi Minh City Police.

The Cong team's start to the new season hasn't been entirely perfect. Looking solely at the 1-1 draw in the Hanoi derby against CAHN, it could be considered a success for coach Velizar Popov's team. However, in reality, the team's performance hasn't lived up to expectations.

Throughout the 90 minutes of play at Hang Day Stadium, The Cong only managed 6 shots, with only 1 of those 2 shots on target resulting in a goal. Conversely, Van Phong's goal faced more than double the pressure from their opponents.

If the CAHN strikers had been more clinical and taken better advantage of their opportunities, The Cong might have left the field empty-handed. To prove their team's class and their ability to compete for the V.League championship, Bui Tien Dung and his teammates need to showcase higher-quality football soon.

The match against Ho Chi Minh City Police will be another test of the mettle of Coach Popov's team. Compared to last season, their opponent has transformed, boasting many new names and personnel.

The test at Hang Day Stadium could determine whether The Cong has the potential to compete with big rivals like Nam Dinh and CAHN.

Following its transfer to the police force, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department has undergone major personnel reforms. On the coaching bench, Le Huynh Duc, a legend of Vietnamese football in general and Ho Chi Minh City football in particular, has been given the role of head coach.

In addition, the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department has also taken very strong steps in the transfer market, bringing in as many as 14 new players.

Notable examples include Tien Linh (Binh Duong), Pham Duc Huy (Binh Dinh), Chu Van Kien (Hanoi FC), Van Luan (CAHN), and Van Lam ( Quang Nam ).

In terms of foreign players, the team from Ho Chi Minh City also made significant signings, recruiting Matheus Felipe (valued at 1 million euros - the most expensive player in V.League 2025/26) and Raphael Schorr Utzig (850,000 euros).

Thanks to quality improvements, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC created a surprise in their opening match. Despite being considered the underdog against Hanoi FC, the home team at Thong Nhat Stadium delighted their fans with a 2-1 victory. Tien Linh and Huy Toan contributed two goals, giving coach Le Huynh Duc's team a perfect start.

With their morale very high, Ho Chi Minh City Police could pose a significant challenge to the capital's representative, The Cong, in their quest for three points. In the last four encounters between the two sides, the visiting team has only lost once, drawn twice, and won once. Therefore, the scenario of Tien Linh and his teammates earning points on their trip north remains very likely.

Information regarding the match between The Cong team and Ho Chi Minh City Police.

The Cong team: No notable faces are missing.

Ho Chi Minh City Police: Full force.

Predicted lineups for The Cong vs Ho Chi Minh City Police

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

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

Prediction: 1-1