National Cup 1/8: Khanh Hoa vs Bac Ninh, SLNA vs Da Nang
Two early matches of the 1/8 round of the 2025/26 National Cup: Khatoco Khanh Hoa hosts Bac Ninh FC at 19/8 Stadium Nha Trang; SLNA hosts Da Nang at Vinh Stadium. VAR will be used in the SLNA - Da Nang match.
The 2025/26 National Cup Round of 16 kicks off at the same time as the national team and U22 are gathering, and many clubs may be without key players. Two notable early matches: Khatoco Khanh Hoa hosts Bac Ninh FC at 19/8 Stadium in Nha Trang, while SLNA faces Da Nang at Vinh Stadium. The SLNA-Da Nang match has VAR technology support.
Khanh Hoa vs Bac Ninh FC: First Division derby and debt at 19/8 stadium
The early match at the 19/8 Nha Trang Stadium is the “First Division derby” between Khatoco Khanh Hoa – the team currently ranked 2nd in the First Division – and Bac Ninh FC, an ambitious newcomer. The lucky draw helped Khanh Hoa avoid the qualifying round, while Bac Ninh made their “professional debut” with a 1-0 victory over Van Hien University.
Recent historical highlight: Khanh Hoa's only defeat in the First Division so far was against Bac Ninh when the two teams met at Viet Yen Stadium. Home field advantage and high performance help coach Tran Trong Binh and his team to be rated higher, and they are aiming to avenge their debt in the First Division with the first ticket to the quarter-finals of the National Cup.
SLNA vs Da Nang: test of fire at Vinh stadium, VAR ready
The remaining match will take place at Vinh Stadium between SLNA and Da Nang. Both teams are in the relegation race in V.League 1 this season, so many are worried that they will prioritize the "battle" for survival. However, when V.League 1 enters a long break, the National Cup is an opportunity to maintain fitness, playing rhythm and create momentum for a breakthrough when the tournament returns at the end of January 2026.
In the first leg of V.League 1, Da Nang held SLNA to a 1-1 draw at home. The rematch at Vinh Stadium is a clear disadvantage for the away team. Da Nang's realistic goal, as they have defended in the past, could be to try to bring the match to a balance in 90 minutes to decide by a penalty shootout. VAR technology will support this match, minimizing controversy in sensitive situations.
Force context: opportunities for young faces
The round of 16 comes at the right time when the national team and the U22 team gather, some strong teams are at risk of missing key players. That opens up opportunities for young talents or players who rarely play, especially in positions that require a lot of energy such as the wings or in high-pressing situations.
In that context, the coaches will likely adjust the tempo and approach: Khanh Hoa can proactively control and pressure to solve the problem early when playing at home, while Bac Ninh has a pragmatic choice, waiting for the opportunity to counterattack. At Vinh Stadium, the balance may tilt towards SLNA, but the caution of both teams is easy to see when the door to the quarterfinals is only one knockout match away.
Numbers and technical highlights
- Khatoco Khanh Hoa is temporarily ranked 2nd in the First Division.
- Bac Ninh FC beat Van Hien University 1-0 in the 2025/26 National Cup qualifiers.
- Khanh Hoa's only loss in the First Division so far happened against Bac Ninh at Viet Yen Stadium.
- SLNA and Da Nang drew 1-1 in the first leg of V.League 1 when Da Nang played at home.
- The SLNA - Da Nang match applied VAR technology.
A quarter-final ticket would be a valuable catalyst for the clubs’ ambitions, and at the same time a measure of the squad’s depth during the period of player shortage. Both early matches promise drama in different ways: Khanh Hoa’s revenge against Bac Ninh, and the VAR-fueled gamble at Vinh Stadium.
