In the same area, two teams carrying high expectations created two completely contrasting stories. On one side, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC finished in the top 5, while on the other, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City FC suffered the bitter fate of being relegated to the First Division next season.
The joy of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club.
When the Ho Chi Minh City Police Football Club was re-established and entered the V-League 2025-2026 season, not many expected the team to immediately make a strong impact. The initial goal was quite realistic: to build a foundation, stabilize the organization, and gradually compete with top teams. With stable financial resources and a sound personnel selection policy, the police team quickly built a highly competitive squad, including foreign players and overseas Vietnamese players with high professional skills. The coaching staff prioritized players in their prime, harmoniously combining them with ambitious young talents.
The most notable aspect of the Ho Chi Minh City Police FC this season is its stability, despite having to change head coaches once, when Le Huynh Duc handed over the reins to his assistant, Phung Thanh Phuong. While not possessing as many stars as Hanoi Police, The Cong Viettel , Ninh Binh, or Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC has maintained consistent performance throughout the season thanks to the practical experience and understanding of the team's identity, thanks to the strategists who were once players for Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.
Ho Chi Minh City Police FC finished in the top 5 of V-League 2025-2026 in their first season after their comeback. (Photo: QUANG LIEM)
Crucial victories against direct rivals helped them gradually climb into the leading group. At one point, the team playing at Thong Nhat Stadium dominated the top 3 of the league table during the first half of the season. Season statistics also showed the tenacious fighting spirit of Ho Chi Minh City Police, as they played on equal footing with strong opponents in the V-League.
Coach Phùng Thanh Phương commented: "The most positive aspect of the Ho Chi Minh City Police Club this season is not just their ranking, but the way the whole team has built its playing identity. The team has chosen an organized style of play, knowing their strengths and weaknesses, and making optimal use of their available resources."
Finishing in the top 5 is a well-deserved achievement for their first season after their return. More importantly, Ho Chi Minh City Police FC has proven they have the potential to become a new force in Vietnamese football in the coming years. Immediately after the season ended, the team planned to recruit several national team players in preparation for the 2026-2027 season.
If they continue to invest in depth, add quality players in key positions, and maintain their current stability, the goal of competing for the V-League championship in 2026-2027 is entirely within the reach of Ho Chi Minh City Police FC.
The disappointment named Becamex Ho Chi Minh City
Few would have expected a team that had won the national championship multiple times, possessed a rich tradition, and had considerable financial resources to bid farewell to the V-League after 22 consecutive years of participation. But looking back at the entire season, this outcome is not entirely surprising.
Becamex TP HCM entered the season with significant personnel changes. The decision to part ways with several experienced key players such as Tien Linh, Minh Trong, and other players who had a major influence on the team's playing style left the squad without a crucial core. Meanwhile, the replacement signings failed to meet expectations. Many foreign players performed poorly, making limited professional contributions but accounting for a large portion of the salary budget. In numerous matches, the attack lacked sharpness while the defense repeatedly made individual mistakes.
Becamex Ho Chi Minh City FC disappointed by relegation. (Photo: QUOC AN)
Football expert Doan Minh Xuong stated: "Becamex Ho Chi Minh City failed due to erroneous decisions in personnel management. They failed to retain their core players but also didn't bring in players of sufficient caliber to replace them. That is the core reason for their decline."
Throughout the season, the team constantly changed its tactical approach but failed to find a consistent winning formula, as evidenced by a nine-match winless streak, including six defeats in the final sprint to the finish line. In the final rounds, despite their best efforts, Becamex TP HCM could not escape the bottom of the table.
The sadness is even greater because the team, once an icon of Southern football, possessed excellent facilities and funding comparable to many rivals. What they lacked wasn't money, but an effective strategy for utilizing their resources. In the final match, many fans stayed long in the stands of their home stadium, Go Dau, after the final whistle. They didn't blame the players, but rather regretted the loss of a team that had brought so many beautiful memories.
As a familiar face, deeply involved in and contributing to igniting and organizing football support movements in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. Tran Huu Nghia sadly shared: "Relegation is a huge shock for the team nicknamed 'The Eastern Whirlwind,' but perhaps we need to face the truth. Becamex Ho Chi Minh City FC has made too many mistakes since the beginning of the season. Hopefully, this will be an opportunity for a stronger rebuilding."
In reality, relegation to the First Division isn't necessarily the end. Many Vietnamese teams have gone through difficult periods before returning stronger. The important thing is that Becamex Ho Chi Minh City needs to comprehensively review its operating model and rebuild its squad based on core values instead of chasing short-term solutions.
The future of football in Ho Chi Minh City is therefore unfolding in two different directions. Ho Chi Minh City Police FC enters the new season as a top contender. Conversely, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City must begin its rebuilding journey from the First Division, facing the pressure of returning to the highest level of competition as soon as possible.
One season, two destinies. One side tells the story of rise thanks to the right strategy, the other a lesson in ineffective decisions in management and team building. But above all, both teams are contributing to shaping the face of football in Ho Chi Minh City – a place where fans always hope to soon witness the strong return of Southern clubs to the Vietnamese football map.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/v-league-va-nhung-gam-mau-doi-lap-196260608204949521.htm
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