Hong Linh Ha Tinh successfully avoided relegation.

Thousands of spectators gathered at the Ha Tinh stadium to cheer on the players as they fought for control of their own destiny in the relegation battle, and they erupted in joy after the match. With 24 points after 24 games, Hong Linh Ha Tinh secured their place in the league, two points ahead of bottom-placed Saigon FC, a team facing the risk of dissolution.

Jancelesio celebrates the winning goal that secured a 2-1 victory for Hong Linh Ha Tinh, helping them avoid relegation. Photo:Duc Hung

Prior to the 2022 V-League season, Hong Linh Ha Tinh was transferred to Hoanh Son Group Joint Stock Company. The team faced many difficulties after parting ways with key players such as striker Pham Tuan Hai, defender Van Vy, and midfielder Ly Cong Hoang Anh. They brought in several new players, most of whom were relatively unknown. The most famous was Dinh Thanh Trung - the 2017 Golden Ball winner, but he was already past his prime.

Amidst personnel changes and top-level management shifts, Hong Linh Ha Tinh's only goal is to avoid relegation, after two seasons as a "dark horse," reaching the top 8 in 2020 and the top 10 in 2021 – before the league was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Besides star players Tran Phi Son and Dinh Thanh Trung, the management also hopes that coach Nguyen Thanh Cong – known for his success with smaller teams – will help Hong Linh Ha Tinh overcome their difficulties.

Hong Linh Ha Tinh started the 2022 V-League season with a 0-1 home defeat against Hai Phong. They failed to win in the next three matches, drawing two and losing one, relegating them to the bottom of the table. However, in this precarious situation, Coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's team caused a shock by winning 1-0 against Viettel at Hang Day Stadium in Round 5. Following this victory, Thanh Trung and his teammates continued their winning streak, securing victories against Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City to climb into the top 6.

Captain Phi Son of Hong Linh Ha Tinh (in pink shirt) overcame difficulties against Thanh Hoa to remain in the V-League after a tough season. Photo:Duc Hung

At one point, Hong Linh Ha Tinh was expected by experts to be a "spoiler" this season. However, the team from Central Vietnam then plummeted. From round 9 onwards, they disappointed with a series of draws and losses, falling into the relegation battle. To be fair, Ha Tinh was unlucky, because just when they were in good form, key players like Phi Son, Thanh Trung, and Quach Tan suffered long-term injuries, causing their playing style to lose cohesion. Young players like midfielders Trung Hoc and Van Cong, and defender Van Nam, despite their efforts, could not fill the void left by their seniors.

Hong Linh Ha Tinh's squad lacks depth, with key players all getting older. They registered three foreign players, but only Janclesio stood out, while Paollo and Machado were inconsistent. In many matches, Janclesio played the hero, consistently scoring crucial goals to save his team from defeat. The Brazilian center-back was beloved by Hong Linh Ha Tinh fans for his dedication and enthusiastically celebrating after scoring. However, this foreign player's efforts were not enough to lift the team out of their current predicament.

Prior to round 26, Hong Linh Ha Tinh had only won 4 matches, with the rest being draws and losses. In the second half of the season alone, they hadn't once enjoyed a three-point victory, despite the management offering a 1.5 billion VND bonus in several matches to motivate them. In some matches against relegation rivals, fans used loudspeakers and banners demanding coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's resignation, hoping for a change of coach to change their fortunes. However, the coach from Nghe An remained in his position, despite all the pressure.

In the final five rounds, Ha Tinh was predicted to face tough times as they successively encountered top teams like Binh Dinh, Viettel, HAGL, and Hanoi. At one point, they lost, falling to the bottom of the table and being considered a relegation candidate. However, Hong Linh Ha Tinh played well, drawing with strong teams like Hai Phong, Viettel, and HAGL, and then taking control of their own destiny with a victory against Thanh Hoa.

2023 will be Hong Linh Ha Tinh's fourth season in the V-League, and the club's management is facing a headache as fans demand the dismissal of coach Nguyen Thanh Cong. In addition, they also face many concerns due to a thin current squad, a lack of successor players, and inadequate facilities.