Quarterfinals of the 2025-2026 National Cup: When a First Division team challenges a V-League representative

From the start of this season's National Cup until now, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai has excellently overcome two V-League representatives: Becamex Ho Chi Minh City (3-1) and Hong Linh Ha Tinh (2-0). Notably, they remain unbeaten in the 2025-2026 season. Under coach Nguyen Viet Thang, the team has won 8 and drawn 4 matches after 12 games in the First Division. They are the only unbeaten team in the league and currently lead second-place Bac Ninh by 6 points.

Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is a team with balanced offense and defense. They possess the strongest attack in the league with 26 goals (averaging 2.17 goals per match), even though their top attacking star, Cong Phuong, has only played one match due to injury. The attacking trio of Minh Vuong (5 goals), Alex Sandro, and Ho Thanh Minh (each with 4 goals) are among the top scorers in the league. The defense of this Southeast region team has also conceded only 10 goals, the least in the league.

Dominating the First Division, TTDN also achieved full victories in the National Cup by defeating two V-League representatives: Becamex Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Linh Ha Tinh.

The opponent for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai in the quarterfinals will be a greater challenge. Ho Chi Minh City Police Club is currently ranked 5th in the V-League.

Overall, Ho Chi Minh City Police Club is considered slightly superior in terms of squad quality and experience at the highest level. Under coach Le Huynh Duc, the team based at Thong Nhat Stadium is shaping a pragmatic, solid style of play that excels at seizing opportunities. Their recent 1-0 victory over PVF-CAND in the V-League returned them to the 5th position on the standings, providing a strong psychological momentum for their medal-winning goal this season.

Meanwhile, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is truly a phenomenon with a 14-match unbeaten streak and sole possession of the top spot in the First Division. The squad of this Southeast region team this year is exceptionally abundant with renowned names like Cong Phuong, Xuan Truong, Minh Vuong, Huu Tuan, and Tan Truong. These stars are helping Dong Nai's gameplay become sharper and more confident.

According to regulations, V-League clubs can only use one foreign player when facing a First Division team. This is precisely the opportunity for lower-tier teams to create surprises. Because V-League clubs typically use up to three foreign players on the field, having to remove two foreign players immediately affects their tactical system.

In the context of playing with only one foreign player, Ho Chi Minh City Police Club cannot rely heavily on their current domestic strikers. Tien Linh and Dinh Thanh Binh have been "silent" for a long time in the V-League. Not being named in the Vietnam national team squad for the match against Malaysia in the final Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers will be motivation for these two strikers to strive in this match.

In this match, if given the chance to play, Tien Linh and Cong Phuong will face each other. Both will be determined to help their team secure a semifinal spot and reaffirm their personal value.

The tactical duel between coaches Le Huynh Duc and Nguyen Viet Thang on the coaching bench is also highly anticipated. Both have played for Ho Chi Minh City Police Club and have left strong impressions in coaching. Unfortunately, coach Viet Thang cannot directly command in this match due to receiving three yellow cards. This is also a significant disadvantage for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai in making flexible tactical adjustments in a tense knockout match.

The match between Ho Chi Minh City Police Club and Truong Tuoi Dong Nai will take place at 19:15 on March 20th. Considering many aspects, a victory for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is unlikely given the experience of coach Le Huynh Duc, but in cup football, surprises are always waiting.