PVF-CAND is an opponent not to be underestimated.

Quality domestic players - Strength comes from PVF foundation

First of all, it must be affirmed thatPVF-CANDpossesses a very solid domestic foundation. Most of the players in the current squad are trained at PVF - one of the leading youth training centers in Vietnam.

Typical names include Huynh Cong Den, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Hieu Minh and Nguyen Xuan Bac. These are all familiar faces to the national youth teams. In particular, Nguyen Hieu Minh and Nguyen Xuan Bac are the two pillars of the Vietnam U23 team that just won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship - a clear testament to their professional quality.

It is worth mentioning that many players in the PVF-CAND squad have played together since the youth levels. Thanks to that, coach Thach Bao Khanh's team has a strong bond and understanding in playing style - an extremely important factor when entering a fierce season like V.League.

Powerful additions

Not only stopping at domestic players, PVF-CAND also showed great ambition when quickly adding quality foreign players to strengthen the squad. The first two names recruited by this team were Joseph Mpande and Walber Mota - the duo who played for the Nam Dinh Blue Steel Club last season.

Both Joseph Mpande and Walber Mota have already established themselves atV.League, from ball handling ability to competition experience. Their presence will be a solid support for PVF-CAND to avoid being "overwhelmed" when competing for the first time in the highest arena of Vietnamese football.

Notably, Joseph Mpande and Walber Mota are just the first "shots". With abundant finances, the team from Hung Yen promises to continue to recruit two more quality foreign players in the near future - names that are expected to be no less than the two initial contracts.

In addition, PVF-CAND is paying special attention to Hoang Vu Samson - a veteran striker who has made waves in the V.League. If this deal is successful, this will be an extremely valuable addition to the attack line which is currently lacking a real "killer" of the team from Hung Yen.

Obviously, with the players they have, PVF-CAND does not come to V.League just to stay in the league. They want to do more than that, even become a new phenomenon of this year's season.

Opportunity for Song Lam Nghe An

However, it is not without its obstacles. Coach Thach Bao Khanh’s biggest problem at the moment is the short preparation time. From building a tactical system, assembling the squad to adapting to the high tempo of V.League – all need time.

And that is what could cause PVF-CAND to have trouble in the first rounds. That is the reason why the confrontation between them andLam River Nghe AnThe opening match of the 2025/26 season is more anticipated than ever.

In theory, meeting an unfinished rookie like PVF-CAND is a “golden” opportunity for the Nghe team to win all 3 points. But if they are subjective, they may have to pay a heavy price. Because clearly, PVF-CAND is not an easy opponent to bully.

Hopefully, coach Phan Nhu Thuat's team will take advantage of this opportunity to get a good result on the opening day.