Hong Linh Ha Tinh successfully stayed in the league.

Thousands of spectators were present at Ha Tinh stadium to cheer on the players who won the right to decide in the relegation race, and they burst into tears after the match. With 24 points after 24 matches, Hong Linh Ha Tinh stayed in the league, 2 points ahead of the bottom-ranked team Saigon - the team at risk of dissolution.

Jancelesio celebrates scoring the winning goal to make it 2-1, helping Hong Linh Ha Tinh stay in the league. Photo:Duc Hung

Before the V-League 2022, Hong Linh Ha Tinh was transferred to Hoanh Son Group Joint Stock Company. The team faced many difficulties when saying goodbye to key players such as striker Pham Tuan Hai, defender Van Vy, midfielder Ly Cong Hoang Anh. They welcomed a number of new players, most of whom were not well-known. The most famous one was Dinh Thanh Trung - Golden Ball 2017, but was on the other side of his career slope.

Faced with personnel changes and changes in the upper echelons, Hong Linh Ha Tinh only set a goal of staying in the league, after two seasons as a "dark horse" in the top 8 in 2020, and top 10 in 2021 - before the tournament was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to the two stars Tran Phi Son and Dinh Thanh Trung, the Board of Directors also hopes that coach Nguyen Thanh Cong - who is always "good" when leading small teams - will help Hong Linh Ha Tinh overcome difficulties.

Hong Linh Ha Tinh started V-League 2022 with a 0-1 loss to Hai Phong at home. In the next three matches, they did not know the taste of victory when they drew two and lost one, being pushed down to the bottom of the table. While in danger, coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's team caused a shock when they beat Viettel 1-0 at Hang Day Stadium in round 5. After this victory, Thanh Trung and his teammates flourished, continuing to win against Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City to climb to the top 6.

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

There was a time when Hong Linh Ha Tinh was expected by experts to be the "roadblock" this season. However, the Central team then went downhill without stopping. From round 9 onwards, they disappointed with continuous draws and losses, falling into the relegation group. To be fair, Ha Tinh was unlucky, because when they were in form, key players like Phi Son, Thanh Trung or Quach Tan suffered long-term injuries, causing the playing style to lose cohesion. Young players like midfielder Trung Hoc, 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, and its main players are all old. They registered 3 foreign players, but only Janclesio stood out, while Paollo and Machado were inconsistent. In many matches, Janclesio played the role of hero, continuously scoring important goals to help the team escape defeat. The Brazilian midfielder is loved by Hong Linh Ha Tinh fans for his dedication and emotional celebrations after scoring. However, the efforts of this foreign player were not enough to help the whole team escape the crisis.

Before round 26, Hong Linh Ha Tinh had only 4 wins, the rest were draws and losses. In the return leg, they have not once enjoyed the joy of winning 3 points, although in many matches the board of directors has offered a bonus of 1.5 billion VND to encourage them. In some matches against opponents competing for relegation, fans used loudspeakers and hung banners asking coach Nguyen Thanh Cong to resign, hoping to "change the general and change the fate". However, the coach from Nghe An is still in his position, despite all the pressure on him.

In the last five rounds, Ha Tinh was predicted to have more bad luck than good luck because they faced top teams such as Binh Dinh, Viettel, HAGL, and Ha Noi. At times, they lost, fell to the bottom of the table, and were named as candidates for relegation. However, Hong Linh Ha Tinh played well, holding strong teams such as Hai Phong, Viettel, and HAGL to a draw, and then decided their own fate with a win against Thanh Hoa.

2023 will be the fourth season Hong Linh Ha Tinh plays in the V-League, the leadership is having a headache when fans demand to fire coach Nguyen Thanh Cong. In addition, they also face many worries when the current staff is thin, lack of successors, and the facilities are lacking and weak.