AFC comments on V.League as Thanh Hóa and SLNA cause an upset

AFC notes that Round 13 of the 2025/26 V.League season saw numerous shocks, with CAHN’s match suspension opening opportunities for the chasing pack. The trailing teams seized these chances fully, creating significant turning points in both the title race and relegation battle.

At the top, CAHN maintained their lead with 29 points despite being sidelined due to their postponed match against SHB Đà Nẵng. However, this round revealed that their dominance is no longer absolute as rivals behind them continue to apply pressure.

AFC’s remarks on Round 13 of the V.League: “Vietnam: The chasing teams capitalized on CAHN’s absence. CAHN still tops the table with 29 points without playing, due to their postponed fixture against SHB Đà Nẵng. Ninh Bình suffered a 1–2 home defeat to Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. Thể Công lost 1–4 to Sông Lam Nghệ An. In other matches, Thanh Hóa beat CA TP.HCM 2–1, Hà Nội defeated Hải Phòng 2–0, and PVF-CAND secured a 2–1 away win over Becamex Bình Dương..”

The spotlight was on Hàng Đẫy Stadium, where Thể Công Viettel aimed to close the gap with CAHN, especially after Ninh Bình’s earlier loss. Their opponent was SLNA, struggling near the bottom of the table. However, the match unfolded in a surprising way.

Just 3 minutes in, Justin Garcia put SLNA ahead. Although Lucao equalized in the 20th minute, Thể Công Viettel collapsed thereafter. Michael Olaha scored twice (55’, 90+1’) and Reon Moore (84’) sealed a 4-1 victory for the Nghệ An team. Vương Văn Huy’s red card in the 68th minute further destabilized the home side. This was Thể Công Viettel’s heaviest defeat in the first half of the season, causing them to miss the chance to narrow the championship gap with CAHN.

Another surprise happened at Thống Nhất when Đông Á Thanh Hóa defeated CA TP.HCM 2-1. Lào-Vietnamese player Damoth Thongkhamsavath shone brightly with a brace in the 9th and 76th minutes, while Makrillos managed only a consolation goal for the hosts. This victory reignited Thanh Hóa’s hopes of avoiding relegation and made the battle at the bottom more unpredictable.

In other matches, Hà Nội FC won 2-0 against Hải Phòng thanks to goals from Fisher and Đỗ Hoàng Hên (Hendrio). With 21 points, coach Harry Kewell’s team climbed to 4th place, closing in on the top 3 and showing a strong resurgence in the upper standings.

Meanwhile, Ninh Bình disappointed by losing 1-2 at home to HAGL. Nguyễn Minh Tâm opened the scoring at 15 minutes, Geovane Magno equalized in the 64th minute with a beautiful free kick, but Marciel secured the win for the Mountainous team at 85 minutes. This valuable three points lifted HAGL to 8th place, while Ninh Bình, still second with 27 points, lost the chance to pressure CAHN.

In Bình Dương, Becamex TP.HCM was defeated 1-2 by PVF-CAND after initially taking the lead through Tấn Tài. Hoàng Vũ Samson and Thái Bá Đạt helped the visitors complete a comeback. This result pushed Becamex TP.HCM closer to the danger zone, while PVF-CAND now trails them by just one point.