HAGL revives, Dong A Thanh Hoa faces salary debt crisis.

Both teams have 7 points but are on two opposite paths. HAGL is experiencing a resurgence thanks to its fighting spirit and pragmatic playing style, while Dong A Thanh Hoa is mired in crisis due to four months of unpaid salaries, as admitted by coach Choi Kwon Won. The upcoming 11th round is likely to be a "reverse final," where this contrast will be most clearly revealed.

HAGL's resurgence: spirit, pragmatism, and young domestic players.

Under the guidance of Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh, HAGL has earned four valuable points in their last two matches against The Cong Viettel and defending champions Nam Dinh. For a team currently at the bottom of the table, this points streak is a sign of survival: stabilizing morale, strengthening confidence, and creating momentum for the relegation battle.

HAGL capitalized on their home advantage at Pleiku Stadium by adopting a pragmatic approach, prioritizing safety and discipline. Their never-give-up spirit became their cornerstone, helping the team overcome difficult moments in big matches.

The highlight came from the young domestic players. Despite lacking a quality foreign player in the attack, young striker Minh Tâm scored two goals, bringing new energy to the forward line. With a stable financial foundation, the management can consider adding a higher-quality foreign player in the middle of the season, thereby increasing the depth of the squad.

Thanh Hoa province is mired in debt: unpaid wages and the resulting psychological impact.

Conversely, Dong A Thanh Hoa is facing a serious crisis. Coach Choi Kwon Won admitted that he and the players have been owed salaries for four months. This financial shock has led to a decline in morale, transforming a team that was a championship contender last season into a struggling team facing the imminent threat of relegation.

When on-field efforts are not supported by the defense, declining performance is an inevitable consequence. The current situation of Dong A Thanh Hoa reflects the tragedy of clubs that have collapsed due to economic difficulties in the past: confidence eroded, operational rhythms disrupted, and professional goals overshadowed by off-field pressure.

A contrasting picture through key figures.

• With 7 points each: HAGL and Dong A Thanh Hoa share the same number of points but have completely different performance trends.
• 4 points/2 matches: HAGL just earned 4 points against The Cong Viettel and defending champions Nam Dinh.
• Four months of unpaid wages: Coach Choi Kwon Won says the team has been owed salaries for four months.
• Minh Tâm's two goals: the young striker offers glimmer of hope for HAGL's attack amidst a shortage of quality foreign players.

Round 11 – the “relegation battle” and the power of self-determination.

The direct confrontation in Round 11 promises to be crucial. For HAGL, it's an opportunity to turn their resurgence into points, continuing to pursue their survival plan with fighting spirit and discipline. For Dong A Thanh Hoa, if the salary issue isn't thoroughly resolved, giving up will become increasingly difficult, and each round will be a pivotal moment that will determine the entire season.

The contrast lies not only in their form but also in their crisis management. HAGL holds the key to self-determination: a stable financial foundation, strong cohesion in the locker room, and a wealth of points. Conversely, the future of Dong A Thanh Hoa is uncertain as the core problem lies outside the playing field.

Conclude

The V-League 2025/26 relegation battle, therefore, is not only a test of tactics on the field but also a test of mental resilience and the operational capacity of the entire system. HAGL is showing a clear path to recovery, while Dong A Thanh Hoa needs an immediate solution to its wage crisis to keep its hopes alive.