V.League and the ranking system after the first 3 rounds.
Only three rounds have passed, but the top positions in the V.League are already being determined. While there have been some surprises, this differentiation was somewhat predictable.
V.League 2025-2026Only three rounds have passed, but the situation has already begun to take shape as heavily invested teams start to show their strength. Among them, names like Hanoi Police, Nam Dinh Green Steel, and especially Ninh Binh FC are showing that they are truly top contenders for the championship title.
Most notably, Ninh Binh FC – a newcomer to this season – has brought a fresh perspective with its modern playing style. The team also boasts a high-quality squad including Rodrigues Gustavo Henrique, Daniel Da Silva Dos Anjos, Geovane Magno, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Nguyen Duc Chien. With three consecutive wins, scoring 10 goals and conceding only 2, Ninh Binh FC is comfortably sitting at the top of the table and posing an early challenge to the rest of the V.League.
Similarly, Hanoi Police are also having a very impressive start. Despite facing tough opponents like The Cong Viettel and Hanoi Club, the 2023 V.League champions still managed two wins and one draw, scoring eight goals. With a quality squad, especially the "blockbuster" signing of Stefan Mauk, the police team continues to show they are the biggest contender in the championship race this season.
Meanwhile, Nam Dinh Steel Green, despite a less-than-impressive start, has secured two wins in three matches. With the most expensive squad in the V.League and a well-balanced depth of players, the team from Nam Dinh can accelerate at any time. Once they hit their stride, Nam Dinh Steel Green is capable of defeating any opponent, and they certainly remain a top contender for the championship.
Besides the aforementioned "big players," other teams include:Hai Phong ClubHo Chi Minh City Police, The Cong Viettel, and Hong Linh Ha Tinh are also quietly accumulating points to climb the rankings. Among them, Ho Chi Minh City Police and Viettel are ambitious teams with stable squads and disciplined play. It wouldn't be surprising if they broke into the top group in the near future.
In stark contrast to the success of heavily invested teams, Hanoi FC is becoming the biggest disappointment of the season. Despite a relatively easy schedule, the capital city team has only managed to secure 1 point from 3 matches, including a humiliating 2-4 defeat against Hanoi Police FC, and at one point being 4-0 down. These results clearly do not reflect the quality of their experienced squad and depth of players.
However, the upcoming break in the V.League could be a valuable opportunity for Mr. Hien's team to make tactical adjustments and boost morale, especially since their goal is nothing less than winning the championship to celebrate the club's 20th anniversary.
Conversely, the relegation battle is also gradually emerging with familiar names. Hoang Anh Gia Lai continues to decline, having only earned 1 point after 3 rounds and, notably, failing to score a single goal. After losing a number of key players, the team from Pleiku is clearly facing a crisis in both personnel and playing style.
The situation is not much better for SHB Da Nang. The team from the Han River has yet to improve its performance compared to last season. Despite heavy investment in the summer transfer window, they have only managed 1 point after 3 rounds, showing the deadlock in their playing style and the tactics of coach Le Duc Tuan.
Perhaps the most worrying situation is for Dong A Thanh Hoa. Not only has the team failed to establish a playing style under coach Choi Won Kwon, but they have also suffered a serious setback with captain Doan Ngoc Tan sustaining a severe injury. Recently, they have also faced turmoil at the top level as Chairman Cao Tien Doan has become embroiled in personal troubles. This will be a challenging period for Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates.
Meanwhile, teams likeLam River, Nghe AnPVF-CAND and Becamex Binh Duong had a decent start, but still need to work hard to accumulate points in each round to avoid a tense relegation battle in the later stages.
After the first 20 matches, the 2025-2026 V.League has seen 55 goals scored, averaging 2.75 goals per match – an impressive figure reflecting the open, exciting, and fierce nature of the league. The significant investment by teams in the transfer window has improved the professional quality of play, making the V.League an increasingly captivating competition.
Based on what has been shown in the first three rounds, fans can fully expect a fiery season, where there is no room for complacency, surprises are always possible, and the drama lasts until the very last minute.