Thanh Hóa truly stands out as the most unusual club in this year’s V-League.

Short on players and burdened by overdue wages, Thanh Hóa FC continuously surprises the top teams, becoming the most peculiar club in this season’s V-League.

Thanh Hóa Football Club is emerging as the most remarkable phenomenon in this season of the V-League, consistently delivering major upsets amid mounting difficulties. With an insufficient squad, a transfer ban, and months-long player salary debts, the Thanh Hóa team still manages to intimidate the “big clubs” through an unexpectedly strong fighting spirit.

In just the last two rounds,Thanh Hóa has stunned the entire league with unbelievable outcomes. In the previous round, they came from behind to draw 2-2 against Thep Xanh Nam Dinh – the reigning V-League champions. Immediately after, coach Mai Xuân Hợp’s team caused another shock by defeating Ho Chi Minh City Police 2-1 at Thong Nhat Stadium, despite being clearly weaker in both squad strength and form.

What’s remarkable is that these impressive results come while Thanh Hóa is in a deep crisis. According to coach Mai Xuân Hợp, the club currently lacks funds to pay FIFA fines from lost cases involving foreign players, so the transfer ban remains in effect. This forces Thanh Hóa to enter the second half of the season without adding any new players.

The difficulties worsen as the Thanh Hóa squad continues to “bleed” players. Key players like Thái Sơn and Văn Thuận have transferred to Ninh Bình club, further depleting an already thin roster. In the increasingly fierce V-League competition, this is a huge disadvantage for Thanh Hóa.

Not only short on players, Thanh Hóa also owes players four to five months of wages and bonuses. Financial pressure weighs heavily on the team’s morale, yet the players still take the field with maximum determination. “Football belongs to the people; we play for the love and support of the fans,”shared coach Mai Xuân Hợp, showing that the team now relies solely on spirit and pride.

In reality, Thanh Hóa can only register 17 players per match, including three goalkeepers. Goalkeeper Trịnh Xuân Hoàng is even ready to be pushed forward as a striker if the lineup faces emergencies. With no money, no players, and limited tactics, Thanh Hóa still manages to shock repeatedly. This is a “one-of-a-kind” team in the V-League and one of the most unique stories in Vietnamese football right now.