What makes the V.League 2021 so appealing?

The first reason helpsV.League 2021What makes the competition even more appealing is the format. The fact that only 6 teams, instead of 8 as before, compete in the first phase to determine the champion has significantly increased the quality and intensity of the competition. Learning from the 2020 V.League season, where 8 teams competed for medals, many teams gave up early when they were already in a safe position before entering the second phase.

The relegation battle will be equally exciting, because although eight teams will fall into this group after the first half of the season, the increase in relegation and promotion spots from 1 to 1.5 means any team must be highly vigilant if they don't want to have to play in the play-off match.

Secondly, even before the ball started rolling, the transfer market was already very active. The team showing the most aggressive and urgent approach was Hanoi FC with the recruitment of foreign players Geovane Magno and Bruno Cantanhede - two players considered among the best in V.League 2020. These new signings have given the former champions a significant boost. Furthermore, next season, Hanoi FC will welcome back quality national team players such as Duy Manh, Dinh Trong, and Van Hau.

With Geovane Magno, Hanoi FC is like a tiger with added wings. Photo: HNFC

Defending champions Viettel have also brought in Pedro Paulo – another foreign striker who has performed very well for Saigon FC. The squad of national team players like Ngoc Hai, Trong Hoang, Tien Dung, and Hoang Duc will continue to be the biggest obstacle for Hanoi FC. However, it's not just Viettel; HAGL also seems ready to stage an upset.

HAGL has just brought in coach Kiatisuk, a former Thai national team player and legend of the club, a move that shows HAGL is very eager to escape its relegation battle and lackluster performance. He is a very skilled coach who loves beautiful, attacking football. Top Vietnamese football talents like Xuan Truong, Tuan Anh, Van Toan, and Van Thanh will be inspired. Talented young coaches of the V.League will have their first opportunity to compete against a legend of Thai football right here in Vietnam.

Kiatisuk brings a breath of fresh air to HAGL. Photo: ST

The next move by Chairman Duc is to recall players from Ho Chi Minh City FC such as Cong Phuong, Van Son, Duc Luong, and Huu Tuan. In addition, coach Kiatisuk will also have goalkeeper Tuan Linh from Than Quang Ninh and Le Minh Binh from Ba Ria - Vung Tau.

For Ho Chi Minh City FC, their chances of competing for the championship will continue to be seriously questioned due to the departure of a number of star players. These include names like Ngoc Thinh, Phi Son, Cong Thanh, and Huu Tuan. The players that Ho Chi Minh City FC brought in are typically only...Ho Tuan Tai, Le Sy Minh. The departure of coach Chung Hae-seong will also mean that the team's playing style will have to be redefined.

Similarly, Saigon FC, after parting ways with 18 players, saw its chairman and head coach Vu Tien Thanh bring in many new players, but only center-back Thiago Melo (Nam Dinh), defender Nguyen Cong Thanh (Ho Chi Minh City FC), and striker Do Merlo (Nam Dinh) are worth mentioning. However, it is clear that this overhaul will hardly help the team at Thong Nhat Stadium maintain the same performance as last year.

The V.League transfer market is extremely active right now. Photo: Club

Among the mid-table teams, SHB Da Nang, B. Binh Duong, SLNA, Quang Ninh, and Thanh Hoa are all capable of causing surprises. The team from the Han River has brought in many quality players such as Rafaelson, Almeida Santos, Huy Hung, Ngoc Thinh, etc.

Meanwhile, SLNA is still thriving thanks to its homegrown players, and still possesses some exceptional talents. Thanh Hoa FC, on the other hand, has recently undergone changes in its top management system in the hope of receiving stronger investment. Specifically, Thanh Hoa has brought in midfielder Le Quoc Phuong (Saigon FC), midfielder Doan Ngoc Tan (Hai Phong FC), midfielder Ze Paulo (Quang Nam FC), and striker Chevaughn Walsh (HAGL FC).

It will be very difficult to identify any teams at risk of relegation in the upcoming V.League season, as clubs like Hai Phong, Nam Dinh, Ha Tinh, and newcomer Binh Dinh are all working hard to strengthen their squads. Immediately after the end of the 2020 V.League season, coach Pham Minh Duc brought in...Phi Son, foreign player Kesley from HAGL, and some other domestic players such as Quách Tân and Xuân Hùng from Quảng Ninh.

The relegation battle as well as the championship race have become more intense in the V.League 2021. Photo: Duc Anh

The most regrettable aspect that prevented the 2021 V.League from being more exciting is that four clubs still "owe" the V.League 2021 qualification standards: Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA), which did not meet the criteria for facilities; Hong Linh Ha Tinh and Hai Phong (which did not participate in enough youth tournaments); and Nam Dinh (which did not meet the financial criteria). Overall, despite significant efforts in investing in stadiums, most V.League clubs have not been able to prioritize facilities and the quality of competition organization.

Looking ahead to the 2021 V.League season, VPF is considering increasing the prize money for clubs based on match results or final rankings to further motivate teams and enhance the competitiveness of the league.

Shaping the core of Song Lam Nghe An in V.League 2021

(Baonghean.vn) - Just a few days after the V.League 2020 season ended, the Nghe An team has reconvened to prepare for the new season. This somewhat rushed training camp shows that coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team are determined to achieve better results next year.