2023 National Cup - an attractive 'dessert' for V.League teams.

Attractive prizes

The first reason to mention is the award.2023 National CupThis season, the prize money for the champion and the second and third-place teams has doubled compared to the previous season. According to the tournament regulations, the champion will receive 2 billion VND, the runner-up will receive 1 billion VND, and the two third-place teams will each receive 400 million VND.

Hanoi FC is the reigning champion of the 2022 National Cup. (Photo: VPF)

In addition, teams will receive prizes for winning each round. The winning club in the qualifying round will receive 10 million VND, the winning club in the round of 16 will receive 20 million VND, and the winning club in the quarter-finals will receive 30 million VND.

Furthermore, the 2023 National Cup champion will "not have" to participate in the AFC Cup. This is an advantage for the champion, as not participating in Asian tournaments will help teams save both money and the players' energy. For these reasons, teams will certainly try their best to win this year's tournament.

Exciting match schedule

The 2023 National Cup only has four seeded teams: Hanoi FC (the defending champion), Topenland Binh Dinh (the defending runner-up), and the two third-place teams from the East Asia Championship, Thanh Hoa and Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Therefore, fans can expect to witness some exciting matches in this year's National Cup.

First, there's the "group of death," featuring strong teams from the 2023 V.League. These include the reigning champions Hanoi FC and Viettel FC, the 2022 V.League runners-up Hai Phong FC, and two newly emerging powerhouses, Hanoi Police FC and Nam Dinh Steel Green FC.

Schedule of the 2023 National Cup. Photo: VPF (Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company)

The highlight match of the first round will be the fierce contest between Nam Dinh Green Steel Club and Hai Phong Club. The winner of this match will likely face another challenge in the form of Hanoi Police. The police team is considered the stronger side in their match against Khanh Hoa Club.

And if no surprises occur in Round 1, fans nationwide will witness a match between Hanoi FC and Viettel FC in Round 2. This could be considered an early final of the tournament. Another match in Round 2 that will attract attention is the clash between Topenland Binh Dinh and Song Lam Nghe An. However, this match will only happen if coach Huy Hoang's team overcomes Quang Nam FC in Round 1.

Looking at the 2023 National Cup schedule, it's safe to say that each round will offer exciting matches for Vietnamese fans.

An opportunity for teams to hone their skills.

With the National Cup rounds usually scheduled after the V.League and First Division leagues take a break to make way for the other competitions.National teamFocus. These matches will be an opportunity for clubs to rediscover their feel for the game and reassess the form of their players after a long period of inactivity.

Dinh Xuan Tien and his teammates will have the opportunity to test their skills at the 2023 National Cup. Photo: Chung Le

Furthermore, facing weaker opponents from the First Division will allow V.League clubs to give young players opportunities to play. The intense matches in the National Cup will help young players mature quickly and have a chance to prove themselves in their club's colors.

The opening rounds of the National Cup serve as valuable warm-up exercises for clubs before the return of the V.League and the National First Division.

How will Song Lam Nghe An perform in this year's National Cup?

Since winning the 2017 National Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 National Cup, the Nghe An team has not advanced further in this competition. In their last three appearances, Song Lam Nghe An were eliminated in the first round, all of which were bitter defeats against teams from the First Division.

This season, Song Lam Nghe An will once again face an opponent from the First Division, namely C.Quang Nam ClubThis will be a good opportunity for coach Huy Hoang and his team to break the "jinx" that has plagued them for the past three years. However, to achieve that, the team from Nghe An will have to try very hard. Because after the first four matches in the V.League, Song Lam Nghe An still hasn't secured a victory.

Topenlad Binh Dinh Club will be a major challenge for Song Lam Nghe An if the Nghe An team advances beyond the first round. (Photo: VPF)

In the bracket for Song Lam Nghe An, Topenland Binh Dinh will be the biggest challenge for the Nghe An team on their path to securing a semi-final spot. If they overcome this challenge in Quy Nhon, the chances of coach Huy Hoang's team progressing further are very high, because the remaining clubs such as Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Binh Phuoc, and Long An are not considered as strong as the Nghe An team. Therefore, if they perform well, reaching the semi-finals remains a realistic goal for Song Lam Nghe An in this year's tournament.

Hopefully, the recent break will help the Nghe An team refine their playing style and showcase a more promising game in the near future.