Coach Anh Đức unexpectedly takes charge of Thanh Hóa, Công Phượng returns to V-League.
Nguyen Anh Duc officially took over as head coach of Thanh Hoa amidst a tense relegation battle, while Cong Phuong and Dong Nai secured promotion to the V-League 2026/27.
Vietnamese football has witnessed a series of significant changes in recent hours, from the coaching staff to the landscape of professional leagues. The focus has shifted to Thanh Hoa province and the promotion journey of its veteran stars.
Nguyen Anh Duc leads Thanh Hoa ahead of relegation survival.
Thanh Hoa has officially completed the appointment of former national team player Nguyen Anh Duc as head coach starting from round 25 of the V-League 2025/26. He will replace Mai Xuan Hop, who will step down to take on the role of assistant coach. This decision comes as a big surprise with only two rounds remaining in the season.
Currently, Thanh Hoa has 25 points. Although not yet officially safe from relegation, the team holds a significant advantage, being 5 points ahead of Da Nang, who are in the play-off position. Coach Anh Duc's task is to help the team maintain stability to secure a place in Vietnam's top league next season.
Cong Phuong and his journey back to the V-League with Dong Nai.
Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong has just reached a significant milestone as he and Dong Nai secured the 2025/26 National First Division title one round early. This result means the former HAGL star will officially return to the V-League next season.
Sharing his thoughts on his first club title, Cong Phuong affirmed that he understands the harsh realities of the top domestic league. The striker emphasized that he will strive to maintain peak physical condition to meet the high intensity of competition upon his return to the V-League.
FIFA President congratulates Hanoi Police
The achievement of Hanoi Police Football Club (CAHN) winning the V-League 2025/26 championship three rounds early has received special recognition. FIFA President Gianni Infantino sent a letter to VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan to congratulate the new champions. Mr. Infantino praised the persistent efforts and impressive achievements of the capital city's team throughout the season.
To show appreciation to the fans on the day of their trophy presentation at Hang Day Stadium, CAHN decided to give away free tickets and 1,000 gifts, including fan-edition jerseys and signed footballs.
Play-off situation and Tien Linh's form
In the First Division, Bac Ninh Club finished as runners-up and will represent Vietnam in the play-off for promotion to the V-League. Their opponent will be the second-to-last team in the 2025/26 V-League. The battle to avoid the play-off spot is fiercely contested among five teams: Thanh Hoa, HAGL, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and PVF-CAND.
In other news, Indonesian media (Bola Sport) has just published an analysis of striker Nguyen Tien Linh's performance. The striker, who plays for Ho Chi Minh City Police, is facing the risk of losing his place in the 2026 AFF Cup due to a decline in his goal-scoring efficiency, with only 4 goals scored so far this season.
Vietnam U19 team is ready for the Southeast Asian tournament.
In Medan, Indonesia, the Vietnam U19 team is maintaining a rigorous training pace in preparation for their opening match of the 2026 Southeast Asian U19 Championship against Timor Leste. The entire team has adapted well to the weather conditions and pitch in the host country, ready for the upcoming challenges.
