Nine U23 Vietnamese players face relegation risk in V.League

The relegation battle in the V-League 2025/26 is entering a tense phase, as numerous U23 Vietnamese players confront the threat of relegation while playing for their respective clubs.

The V-League 2025/26 is nearing its conclusion with only nine rounds remaining, and while the championship race is almost decided, the relegation fight is heating up daily. Notably, many teams struggling at the bottom of the table possess several U23 Vietnamese players, making the survival story even more compelling.

Specifically, Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ (Thanh Hóa), Trần Trung Kiên (HAGL), Nguyễn Đức Anh, Nguyễn Phi Hoàng (SHB Đà Nẵng), and Phạm Lý Đức, Nguyễn Hiểu Minh, Nguyễn Xuân Bắc, Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn, Võ Anh Quân (PVF-CAND) all face relegation risk. These are players who contributed to U23 Vietnam's achievements, such as winning the SEA Games 33 gold medal and securing third place in the 2026 U23 Asian Cup.

Among the mentioned clubs, SHB Đà Nẵng is facing significant difficulties after a heavy 1-5 defeat to Công an Hà Nội Club in round 17. The Han River-based team currently ranks 13th with 12 points and has only secured 2 points in their last four matches. A leaky defense and frequent mistakes have caused them to consistently drop points. Moreover, Đà Nẵng's upcoming schedule is considered very tough, as they must face strong opponents like Thép Xanh Nam Định, Hà Nội, and Thể Công Viettel.

Meanwhile, PVF-CAND faces an even greater risk as they sit at the bottom of the standings. This team is struggling with stability, especially after upheavals in the coaching staff. Frequent managerial changes have left PVF-CAND's playing style undefined, while their young squad lacks the experience to handle pressure.

Nevertheless, individuals like Thanh Nhàn, Xuân Bắc, and Lý Đức have shown commendable effort. In their recent match, they helped the team earn a point against Becamex TP.HCM. However, with a poor run of form (only one win in 16 matches), the relegation threat remains clearly evident.

In the other group, HAGL and Thanh Hóa are somewhat more positive but still cannot relax. HAGL is ranked 12th with 15 points, while Thanh Hóa stands 11th with 16 points. The Thanh region team is showing signs of improvement with additional financial resources, securing an impressive 4-0 victory against Công an TP.HCM Club.

Improved form helps Thanh Hóa gradually accumulate crucial points in the relegation battle. Meanwhile, HAGL continues to strive with determined fighting spirit, though they haven't achieved the necessary stability.

It can be seen that not only the championship race but also the relegation battle plays a vital role in forging the resilience of young players. For these U23 Vietnamese players, this is a major challenge but also an opportunity to mature and accumulate valuable experience for the future.