HAGL revives, Dong A Thanh Hoa faces wage debt crisis

The two teams have 7 points each but are on two opposite trajectories. HAGL is reviving thanks to its spirit and pragmatic playing style, while Dong A Thanh Hoa is deep in crisis due to 4 months of unpaid wages, as admitted by coach Choi Kwon Won. The upcoming round 11 is likely to become a “reverse final”, where this contrast will be most clearly exposed.

HAGL's revival: spirit, pragmatism and young domestic players

Under the guidance of Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh, HAGL has won 4 valuable points in the last two matches against The Cong Viettel and defending champion Nam Dinh. For a team at the bottom of the table, that series of points is a sign of survival: stabilizing mentality, strengthening confidence, creating momentum for the relegation race.

The advantage of Pleiku stadium was brought into play when HAGL chose a pragmatic approach, putting safety and discipline first. The spirit of not giving up became the fulcrum, helping the team from the mountain town overcome difficult moments in big matches.

The highlight comes from the group of young domestic players. Despite lacking a quality foreign player in the attack, young striker Minh Tam scored 2 goals, bringing new energy to the attack. When the financial foundation is stable, the management can consider adding more quality foreign players in the middle of the season, thereby increasing the depth of the squad.

Thanh Hoa in the quagmire: salary debt and spiritual consequences

On the other hand, Dong A Thanh Hoa is facing a serious crisis. Coach Choi Kwon Won admitted that he and his players have been owed salaries for 4 months. The financial shock has led to a mental breakdown, turning a team that was a championship candidate last season into a struggling team, facing the imminent risk of relegation.

When efforts on the field are not guaranteed by the home team, declining performance is an inevitable consequence. The current image of Dong A Thanh Hoa recreates the tragedy of clubs that collapsed due to economic difficulties in the past: trust is eroded, operating rhythm is broken, professional goals are overwhelmed by pressure off the field.

Contrasting picture through key numbers

• Same 7 points: HAGL and Dong A Thanh Hoa have the same points but different performance trends.
• 4 points/2 matches: HAGL just got 4 points against The Cong Viettel and defending champion Nam Dinh.
• 4 months of unpaid wages: Coach Choi Kwon Won said the team was owed wages for 4 months.
• 2 goals by Minh Tam: young striker gives hope to HAGL's attack in the context of lack of quality foreign players.

Round 11 – “reverse final” and the right to self-determination

The direct confrontation in round 11 promises to be of vital significance. For HAGL, it is an opportunity to turn the revival momentum into points, continuing to stick to the plan to stay in the league with spirit and discipline. For Dong A Thanh Hoa, if the salary problem is not completely resolved, giving up will be more difficult to avoid, and each round will be as heavy as a hinge to decide the whole season.

The contrast is not only in form but also in crisis management. HAGL is holding the “key” to self-determination: a stable financial foundation, a cohesive dressing room and capital points. In contrast, the future of Dong A Thanh Hoa becomes unclear when the core problem lies outside the border.

Conclude

The V-League 2025/26 relegation race is therefore not only a tactical test on the field but also a test of the mental endurance and operational capacity of an entire system. HAGL is showing a clear path to break away, while Dong A Thanh Hoa needs an immediate solution to the salary crisis to hold on to hope.