(Live football) - Becamex TP.HCM steps into the last matchday under immense pressure, needing to beat HAGL and rely on other results to stay in the league.
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Becamex TP.HCM is facing a do-or-die match in the V.League 2025/26 relegation battle. What the team from Thủ Dầu Một has gone through in the final stretch of the season reminds many of Bình Định’s last campaign, when a highly regarded squad suddenly plummeted and fell into crisis at the crucial moment.
Before the season began, Becamex TP.HCM was expected to compete for the top spots. The club's management even set a goal of finishing in the top three during the season launch ceremony. Compared to many rivals such as HAGL, Thanh Hóa, SLNA, Đà Nẵng, or PVF-CAND, the Thủ Dầu Một side was considered to have a better chance of avoiding relegation.
However, things turned out completely differently. In the last 9 matches, Becamex TP.HCM has earned only 3 points from 3 draws and suffered 6 defeats. More worryingly, they have lost all of their last 4 games, including crucial clashes against direct rivals such as Đà Nẵng and SLNA.
The 1-2 defeat to CAHN in the previous round dropped coach Hứa Hiền Vinh's team to the bottom of the table. Although tied on 21 points with Đà Nẵng and PVF-CAND, Becamex TP.HCM sits below them due to an inferior head-to-head record. This means the home side at Gò Đậu Stadium no longer controls its own destiny in the relegation fight.
Against HAGL, the home team's only objective is to secure all three points. But even if they succeed, they still need favorable results from other matches happening simultaneously. The pressure will therefore weigh heavily on the shoulders of Becamex TP.HCM's players.
On the other hand, HAGL have already secured their survival after an impressive 3-1 victory over Hà Nội FC. With a comfortable gap from the relegation zone, the mountain town side has little motivation left to fight. Nevertheless, their mental ease might allow HAGL to play freely and cause plenty of trouble for the hosts. With no way back, Becamex TP.HCM must give their all to secure a win and keep their slim hopes of staying in V.League next season.