Identifying the formidable opponent for Cong Phuong upon his return to V.League

Nguyen Cong Phuong is set to reappear in V.League with Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC, starting with a match against The Cong Viettel in the first round of the 2026/27 season.

The draw ceremony for the schedule of the 2026/27 national professional football tournaments officially took place on the afternoon of August 6, thereby determining notable matchups right from the opening round of V.League. Among them, the highlight is the clash between Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC and The Cong Viettel, marking the day Nguyen Cong Phuong returns to V.League after a period playing in the First Division.

According to the draw results, the team led by coach Nguyen Viet Thang will host The Cong Viettel in Round 1 of V.League 2026/27. This is considered a huge challenge for the league's newcomer as they have to face one of the most traditional clubs, always regarded as a top-group contender.

In particular, the presence of Nguyen Cong Phuong makes the match even more anticipated by fans. After contributing greatly to Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC's promotion, the former HAGL striker will officially return to the V.League arena. Therefore, the confrontation with The Cong Viettel is expected to be a test of the new team's ambitions as well as the form of the 1995-born striker in the new season.

According to the plan, the 2026/27 V.League will officially start on September 4, 2026, with the participation of 14 clubs. Besides the clash between Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC and The Cong Viettel, the opening round will also see a series of other notable matchups.

The defending champions, Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN), will host Hong Linh Ha Tinh at Hang Day Stadium. This is predicted to be a tough match as the "Red Mountain" team is always known for their disciplined and difficult-to-break defensive style.

Meanwhile, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, led by striker Nguyen Xuan Son, will host HAGL at Thien Truong Stadium. Another notable matchup is the clash between Cong An TP.HCM and Ha Noi FC, while newcomer Bac Ninh will make their first appearance in the highest level of Vietnamese football by visiting SLNA at Vinh Stadium.

Not only bringing exciting matchups, the 2026/27 V.League season also features many notable professional changes. Each club is allowed to register and use a maximum of 4 foreign players on the field, instead of the previous limit. The new regulation is expected to improve the professional quality and increase the competitiveness of the league.

In the relegation battle, the 2026/27 V.League will apply 2 direct relegation spots, instead of the play-off format. The schedule has also been adjusted to align with FIFA Days and includes a break from mid-December 2026 to early February 2027 for the Vietnam national team to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup finals.