Defending champion Nam Dinh Green Steel is facing difficulties
After more than 2 months since the start of V.League 2025-2026, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) finally found their first victory. It was quite a surprise that the "defeated general" of coach Le Quang Trai and his team was not a bottom-ranked opponent, but championship candidate The Cong Viettel . The 2-1 victory in Pleiku not only helped HAGL regain confidence, but also showed that the mountain town team is gradually stabilizing after a shaky start.
That victory was like a strong dose of mental medicine, adding confidence to Ryan Ha, Marciel and his teammates before welcoming Nam Dinh in round 9. Although still at the bottom of the table with 6 points, HAGL is only 3 points away from the middle group and still has a make-up match in hand. In the last 5 matches, the team from the mountain town only lost 1, drew 2 and won 2 - a clear sign of improvement.
Meanwhile, Nam Dinh entered round 9 with a completely opposite form. The team from Nam Dinh started the season with high spirits and ambitions to conquer both domestic and regional arenas. However, after a series of 5 winless matches (2 draws, 3 losses), they are in free fall on the rankings. In the last three matches, although all played at Thien Truong Stadium, Van Vi and his teammates only earned 1 point. The 1-2 defeat to Becamex TP Ho Chi Minh in round 8 caused coach Vu Hong Viet to resign, and despite a change on the coaching bench, the situation has not improved.
In addition to the injury problem, Nam Dinh also lacks sharpness in attack. Striker Brenner – who was expected to replace Xuan Son – has still not scored after 8 matches. Meanwhile, foreign players such as Dijks, Walber, Caique or Eid have not been registered to play in the V.League, making the squad lack depth.
According to football expert Phan Anh Tu, the defending champion Nam Dinh Steel Blue is facing a crisis of confidence. They still have a quality squad, but have lost cohesion and fighting spirit. The match against HAGL will be a test of the defending champion's mettle. As for the home team, if they maintain the same spirit as the victory over The Cong, they can completely create another surprise.
It is expected that HAGL will continue to play defensive counter-attacking football – a style that is effective when facing strong opponents. As for Nam Dinh, despite their thirst for points, they will have to be cautious if they do not want to fall into the Pleiku “trap”. This will likely be the most balanced and dramatic match of round 9.
Meanwhile, the race at the top of the V.League rankings is equally dramatic. At Hang Day Stadium, Hanoi Police (CAHN, 17 points) hosted PVF-CAND (7 points) in a high-spirited atmosphere. Despite losing a player early in the previous round, coach Alexandre Polking's team still defeated Ho Chi Minh City Police 1-0, thereby consolidating their top position. With stable performance, a balanced squad and a solid defense, CAHN is rated to have an 80% chance of maintaining their leading position after this round.
Meanwhile, Ninh Binh (16 points) – currently the only unbeaten team after 8 rounds – will host Becamex TP Ho Chi Minh (7 points). Under coach Vu Tien Thanh, Ninh Binh is showing remarkable ability when knowing how to overcome both Hanoi FC and Hai Phong. “Ninh Binh is currently the most organized team in V.League. They do not have outstanding stars but they are united, disciplined and know how to take advantage of opportunities,” said football commentator Vu Quang Huy.
In the middle group, the match between Hong Linh Ha Tinh (9 points) and Hanoi FC (11 points) also received a lot of attention. After changing the coach, the capital team began to show signs of improvement under Australian strategist Harry Kewell. In the most recent match, Hanoi beat Becamex TP Ho Chi Minh 3-2, and if they continue to maintain their form, they can completely win 3 points on Ha Tinh's field to chase the top group.
At the bottom of the table, SHB Da Nang and Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) (both with 6 points) will face each other at Hoa Xuan Stadium. This is a true “reverse final” match as both teams need points to escape the danger zone. SHB Da Nang has home field advantage, but SLNA has a more solid defense. A win, even at the minimum, can change the situation in the relegation group.
The latest match of round 9 is the clash between Dong A Thanh Hoa (7 points) and The Cong Viettel (15 points) on November 2. After losing to HAGL, Viettel will definitely want to regain their winning streak to continue chasing the top group, while Thanh Hoa is still looking for a way to stabilize their playing style.
The race is long, but there can be no stumble.
After 8 rounds, the gap between the top team CAHN and the bottom team HAGL is only 11 points – not too big a number in a long season. But according to experts, this is the stage where teams with depth, courage and adaptability will break away.
“Teams like CAHN and Ninh Binh are showing the image of a strong team, knowing how to win even in difficult matches. Meanwhile, Nam Dinh and Hanoi FC must quickly regain stability if they do not want to be left behind,” expert Doan Minh Xuong emphasized.
Round 9 is therefore not only about points, but also an important test of character. In Pleiku, HAGL can continue to create surprises. At Hang Day, CAHN aims to consolidate the top position. As for the bottom group, each point is now as precious as gold.
V.League 2025-2026 has only gone through a third of the way, but what is happening is enough to promise an exciting season, dramatic in every round.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/vong-9-v-league-2025-2026-cang-nhu-day-dan-o-ca-hai-dau-bang-721709.html
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