Thanh Hoa rises above adversity.

VHO - The 2025/26 V.League season is unfolding with many contrasting aspects, but the story of Thanh Hoa FC stands out as a unique example of Vietnamese professional football, where financial crises, legal sanctions, and personnel shortages go hand in hand with fighting spirit, resilience, and the effort to save themselves.

The joy of the Thanh Hoa players after their resounding 4-0 victory against Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Entering the 2025/26 season, Thanh Hoa was not considered a contender for a high ranking. Instead, the team from Thanh Hoa faced the harsh reality of a FIFA transfer ban, a consequence of prolonged financial disputes with former foreign players. This ban prevented Thanh Hoa from strengthening its squad, especially with many key players having already left the team.

At one point, Thanh Hoa only had 15-16 players eligible to register for matches, the minimum number to avoid forfeiture according to the league regulations. In a long-running, high-intensity, and highly competitive league like the V.League, a lack of squad depth means the risk of collapse at any time, even from just an injury or suspension. However, contrary to these concerns, Thanh Hoa did not give up. Under the leadership of coach Mai Xuan Hop, who grew up in Thanh Hoa football, the team chose a pragmatic approach, playing disciplined football, emphasizing team spirit, and optimizing each available player.

On the pitch, Thanh Hoa presents itself as an energetic team, ready to give their all in every play. Captain Doan Ngoc Tan and the domestic players play a pivotal role, maintaining the rhythm of the game and the team's spirit.

However, their resilience on the field could only help Thanh Hoa hold on. To truly revive, the team needed a solution from behind the scenes. And that turning point came when Thanh Hoa fulfilled its financial obligations to FIFA, paying approximately 3 billion VND to lift the transfer ban. This was not just a financial expenditure, but a true lifeline. The "unfreezing" of the transfer ban allowed Thanh Hoa to quickly strengthen their squad, relieving the pressure that had lasted for many months. Immediately afterwards, the team from Thanh Hoa announced four new signings for the second half of the season, including foreign striker Amar Catic and the return of Nguyen Huu Dung, a former Vietnam U23 midfielder.

Before Round 17, Thanh Hoa entered the match against Ho Chi Minh City Police under immense pressure. Having won only one of their last five matches, the Thanh Hoa team was still struggling to escape relegation. On the other hand, Ho Chi Minh City Police, coached by Le Huynh Duc, traveled to Thanh Hoa aiming for points to keep pace with the top teams. In this context, Thanh Hoa had few options. They had to win not only to improve their position but also to relieve the psychological pressure on a team that had been burdened by both off-field and on-field stress for months.

What unfolded on the Thanh Hoa pitch on the evening of April 5th revealed a completely different side of the Thanh Hoa team. Right after the opening whistle, Thanh Hoa entered the game with high intensity and clear determination. The 4-0 victory was not only a surprising result, but also reflected a clear transformation in Thanh Hoa's spirit and playing style.

On the field, the team displayed cohesion, discipline, and confidence – qualities that had been eroded during a period of personnel and financial crisis. Rimario continued to demonstrate his leadership role in attack, while domestic players like Bá Tiến, Văn Tùng, and Văn Thắng brought positive energy. In particular, Thanh Hóa's defense played solidly, neutralizing most of the opponent's attacks.

After round 17, Thanh Hoa rose to 11th place with 16 points, creating a 4-point gap with bottom-placed PVF-CAND. This gap is not yet safe enough, but it is an important stepping stone that helps the team temporarily alleviate relegation worries and enter the remainder of the season with a more proactive mindset.

It's noteworthy that Thanh Hoa's resurgence wasn't achieved through flashy signings. Their revival was based on restructuring, securing legal stability, strengthening their squad, and maintaining their playing identity. It's a slow but sustainable revival, something not every V.League team has the patience to pursue. In a context where many clubs still heavily rely on short-term financial resources, Thanh Hoa's story demonstrates that professional football isn't solely determined by money, but also by how a team confronts and overcomes crises.

The 2025/26 season for Thanh Hoa is not yet over, and the road ahead remains full of challenges. But the resurgence of the Thanh Hoa team has significance beyond the goal of avoiding relegation. It is proof of the value of internal strength, local spirit, and the role of timely management. In an increasingly harsh V.League, Thanh Hoa is showing that even when pushed to the brink, a team can still rise again if it knows how to save itself before waiting for a miracle from the outside.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/thanh-hoa-vuon-len-giua-nghich-canh-217724.html