Round 10 of the First Division: Cong Phuong's team wins the first leg

Truong Tuoi Dong Nai secured the first leg championship one matchday ahead of schedule following a 5-1 win against Dong Thap.

Bac Ninh FC did not have a particularly outstanding start, remaining quite low on the league table, ceding the top spots to names like Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, Khatoco Khanh Hoa, or Ho Chi Minh City FC. However, from the 8th matchday, coach Paulo Foiani's squad began a notable acceleration with a streak of 3 consecutive wins: defeating Ho Chi Minh City FC in round 8, beating Long An FC in round 9, and in the 10th round overcoming the ambitious contender Quang Ninh with a 3-2 score.

The leap by Bac Ninh FC made the race for the top increasingly thrilling and unpredictable. After round 10, coach Paulo Foiani's team had 19 points, the same as Khatoco Khanh Hoa FC, temporarily ranking 3rd due to inferior tie-breakers. Bac Ninh FC now trails the league leaders Truong Tuoi Dong Nai by only 5 points – a gap that is entirely surmountable in the long journey ahead this season.

In this race, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC proved to be "steady at the helm" by promptly rediscovering the taste of victory in round 10 with a 5-1 win over Dong Thap FC. The victory not only earned 3 points, solidifying their top spot, but also boosted the momentum for coach Viet Thang and his players on their quest for the championship. Can Bac Ninh FC "overturn" Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC in the upcoming stages?

Khatoco Khanh Hoa FC demonstrated their resilience by not giving up after consecutive stumbles in rounds 8 and 9. Following two defeats, in the just-concluded round 10, the coastal city team from Nha Trang secured a precious victory over Quy Nhon United FC. This was a double victory for the team: it came just in time to stay in the race with the remaining contenders, while also restoring the confidence they had at the start of the first leg.

The joy for Bac Ninh FC and Khatoco Khanh Hoa is simultaneously the sorrow for contenders Quang Ninh and Quy Nhon United. After defeats to their direct rivals within the group, Quang Ninh FC and Quy Nhon United have gradually drifted down to the middle of the table, looking distantly at the race ahead. These teams need powerful leaps to rejoin the competition early. But will they manage in time?

In the relegation battle, Ho Chi Minh City Youth FC and Dong Thap continue to be teams yet to taste victory, forming a separate group at the bottom. Teams once evaluated as part of the competitive group, such as Van Hien University and PVF-CAND Youth, have made strong surges, approaching the top 5, even ranking above previously named contenders like Quy Nhon United and Quang Ninh.

Absent Cong Phuong and Minh Vuong, Dong Nai still secured a heavy 5-1 victory over their opponent

Cong Phuong did not start the new season with Dong Nai FC