U23 Vietnam striker apologizes to fans for the team's relegation

In the last round of the 2025/26 V-League, Becamex TP.HCM faced a painful outcome: although they beat HAGL 3-1, Vĩ Hào and his side were forced into relegation because they ended up in last place. The U23 Vietnam striker expressed regret to the supporters over the unsatisfactory results of the club, the second most historic team in the V-League.

The final matchday did not bring a miracle for the clubBecamex TP.HCM, as coach Hứa Hiền Vinh's team was at a severe disadvantage compared to the other two sides tied on 21 points, SHB Đà Nẵng and PVF CAND.

Because they were far behind in head-to-head records,Becamex TP.HCMcould not decide their own fate even with a win over HAGL, and many were confident that SHB Đà Nẵng and PVF CAND would defeat Thanh Hóa and SLNA respectively, both of whom had no further motivation.

The scenario proved the experts' predictions correct. SHB Đà Nẵng crushed Thanh Hóa 4-0, SLNA lost 1-3 to PVF CAND at Vinh Stadium, and Becamex TP.HCM officially went down despite their 3-1 win over HAGL at Thủ Dầu Một. The four-time V-League champions were relegated after 23 years in the top flight.

A club once the symbol of Southeast region football, once dubbed the "Chelsea of Vietnam," with four national titles and over a decade of dominance in the V-League, now finds itself back in the first division, filled with helplessness, regret, and uncertainty about the future.

Becamex TP.HCM was not the weakest team in the league. They finished the season with 24 points, the same as SHB Đà Nẵng andPVF CAND. But football is not decided solely by emotion or reputation.

Direct encounters turned into a "verdict" for this team. Becamex TP.HCM earned only 1 point, while PVF CAND got 5 andSHB Đà Nẵngtook 10 points from those matches.

Thus, the 3-1 victory over HAGL was merely a consolation prize. The club led by technical director Đặng Trần Chỉnh had squandered too many opportunities earlier, leaving them without control over their own fate at the critical moment.

From March until the end of the season,Becamex TP.HCMwon only one match. That statistic alone explains why they were relegated, despite possessing many quality international players and a decent squad.

Bùi Vĩ Hào, Minh Khoa, Việt Cường, Tấn Tài, Tùng Quốc, and goalkeeper Minh Toàn are all promising names. Vĩ Hào was even the hope of U23 Vietnam after a successful AFF Cup 2024. But professional football cannot rely solely on a few individuals. A team lacking mental strength, strategic direction, and with outdated operations ultimately pays the price.

After the match, Bùi Vĩ Hào choked up as he apologized to the fans and the club. The U23 Vietnam forward admitted the team was deeply saddened by their failure to avoid relegation, despite fighting until the very last minute. Those apologies were sincere but also reflected the helplessness of a young generation forced to bear the consequences of years of the club's stagnation.

The coaching change to Hứa Hiền Vinh came too late. He won his first match with the club in the final round, like a farewell gift to comfort the fans.

But what worries many about this club is not just the relegation, but the uncertain future that lies ahead.

Thus, the 2025/26 V-League ended as a harsh reminder that football has no room for complacency rooted in past glories.

Becamex TP.HCM was once a monument, but even a monument can collapse if it fails to adapt to changing times. Relegation is a major shock, but it may also be the wake-up call this club needs to reflect on itself.