HAGL faces a tough relegation battle

Although Mr. Duc's move to send Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh to Ninh Binh is temporary, the aftershocks for HAGL may be considerable. With the fight to avoid relegation intensifying weekly, the absence of their key technical strategist could adversely affect the club during this critical period.

In their last three matches,HAGLhas shown clear signs of improvement. The pragmatic counter-attacking style, heavily influenced by Mr. Thanh, has made HAGL more resilient and harder to defeat. It is evident that after the long break,HAGLis the visibly progressing team, contrasting with Ninh Bình, which recently changed its head coach.

Even in the loss to CAHN, HAGL left a strong impression. The Mountain City team took the lead away from home, created several dangerous counter-attacks, and only succumbed to a "winning machine" with a balanced and experienced squad.

Therefore, Mr. Vu Tien Thanh's departure, even if temporary, worries many HAGL fans. Though not officially the head coach, he built the philosophy, shaped the operational structure, and had the final say on technical matters. Coach Quang Trai is widely known to have been Mr. Thanh's subordinate at several previous clubs.

In Ninh Binh, Mr. Thanh faces a considerable challenge: beyond results, he must plan for the club's smooth operation. An 8-point gap to CAHN (who have played one game less) makes the championship dream fragile. However, with experience leading Saigon FC to a third-place finish in V-League 2020, he is expected to restore the disciplined collective seen during their 11-match unbeaten start.

But the more pressing story is in Pleiku. HAGL currently has 14 points, ranking 11th, only 4 points above SHB Da Nang and having played one more game. SHB Da Nang's 3-0 win in round 14 tightened the gap at the bottom. Above them, Thanh Hoa and PVF CAND are not far ahead. Any misstep now could drag HAGL into a dangerous spiral.

This weekend, HAGL hosts Ho Chi Minh City Police in Pleiku. This match is seen as the first test without their chief strategist. Coach Le Quang Trai must now stand alone at the helm. For years, he has worked alongside Technical Director Thanh, often consulting him on major decisions. Now, the pressure is higher, but it's also a chance to prove himself.

HAGL has a foundation of rapidly maturing young players, experience in V-League relegation battles, and lacks the financial pressures some rivals face. Mr. Thanh himself stated this is a short-term mission and he will return to the Mountain City once Ninh Binh stabilizes.

In the decisive phase of the season, even minor disruptions can create major differences. HAGL accepts this risk in the spirit of cooperation, but they must prove their system is robust enough not to depend on a single individual.