Vietnam national team striker choked up apologizing after the shock of relegation

Even though they defeated HAGL in the last matchday, Becamex TP.HCM were nonetheless relegated, causing forward Bui Vi Hao to express his heartfelt apologies to supporters through sobs.

Becamex TP.HCM ended their V.League 2025/26 season in a way no one had hoped for. Although they secured a 3-1 victory over HAGL in the final round, the team from the Thủ Đức region officially dropped down a division after 23 years competing at Vietnam’s top football level. After the match, Vietnam international striker Bui Vi Hao could not hide his disappointment and sent apologies to the fans for the team’s unfortunate performance.

Before the final round, Becamex TP.HCM were at a disadvantage as they were tied on 21 points with SHB Da Nang and PVF-CAND but had an inferior head-to-head record. This left coach Hua Hien Vinh’s side without control over their own fate. Though they completed their task by beating HAGL, they still had to await results from other matches. However, SHB Da Nang defeated Thanh Hoa 4-0 and PVF-CAND beat SLNA 3-1, rendering all of Becamex TP.HCM’s efforts meaningless.

After the season ended, a choked-up Bui Vi Hao shared: "I apologize to the fans and the club for not being able to help the team stay up. The whole team tried their best, but the final result was still not what we hoped for." These brief words clearly reflect the sorrow of the player born in 2003, who is considered one of the biggest hopes of Vietnamese football at present.

Becamex TP.HCM’s relegation is seen as a major shock of the V.League this season. This is one of the most traditional clubs in Vietnamese football, with four national championships and once nicknamed "Chelsea Vietnam" by supporters. However, a prolonged decline in form cost the team from Thủ Đức dearly. From March until the end of the season, Becamex TP.HCM managed only one win—a statistic that highlights the extended crisis faced by the club.

Unfortunately, Becamex TP.HCM still possessed many quality players such as Bui Vi Hao, Minh Khoa, Viet Cuong, Tan Tai, Tung Quoc, and goalkeeper Minh Toan. Yet individual efforts were not enough to compensate for the team’s tactical limitations and overall instability. The coaching change to HLV Hua Hien Vinh only occurred in the latter part of the season, leaving insufficient time for a turnaround.

The relegation spot not only closed a disappointing season but also raised many questions about Becamex TP.HCM’s future. For a club that was once an icon of the V.League, being forced back to the First Division is a major shock. However, this may also be an opportunity for the Thủ Đức team to reassess their existing problems, restructure their squad, and reclaim their former standing in the seasons ahead.