PVF-CAND is a formidable opponent.

High-quality domestic players - Strength comes from the PVF foundation.

First of all, it must be stated thatPVF-CANDThey currently possess an extremely solid foundation of domestic players. The majority of the players in the current squad are graduates of the PVF academy - one of the leading youth training centers in Vietnam.

Notable names include Huynh Cong Den, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, Nguyen Hieu Minh, and Nguyen Xuan Bac. These are all familiar faces in the national youth teams. In particular, Nguyen Hieu Minh and Nguyen Xuan Bac were two key players in the Vietnam U23 team that won the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship – a clear testament to their professional quality.

It's worth noting that many players in the PVF-CAND squad have played together since the youth levels. Thanks to this, coach Thach Bao Khanh's team has a strong bond and mutual understanding in their playing style – a crucial factor when entering a fiercely competitive season like the V.League.

Powerful additions

Not content with just domestic players, PVF-CAND also showed great ambition by quickly adding quality foreign players to strengthen its squad. The first two names recruited by the team are Joseph Mpande and Walber Mota - a duo who previously played for Nam Dinh Steel Club last season.

Both Joseph Mpande and Walber Mota have proven their abilities atV.LeagueFrom their ball-handling skills to their match experience, their presence will provide a solid foundation for PVF-CAND to avoid being overwhelmed when competing for the first time in Vietnam's top football league.

Notably, Joseph Mpande and Walber Mota are just the first "shots." With ample financial resources, the team from Hung Yen promises to recruit two more quality foreign players in the near future – names that are expected to be no less impressive than the initial two signings.

Furthermore, PVF-CAND is showing particular interest in Hoang Vu Samson – a veteran striker who once dominated the V.League. If this transfer is successful, it will be an extremely valuable addition to the attack, which is currently lacking a true "killer" striker for the team from Hung Yen.

Clearly, with the players they have at their disposal, PVF-CAND isn't just coming to V.League to avoid relegation. They want to do more than that, even become a new phenomenon of this season.

An opportunity for Song Lam Nghe An

However, there are still obstacles. Coach Thach Bao Khanh's biggest challenge right now is the extremely short preparation time. From building a tactical system and assembling the team to adapting to the high tempo of the V.League – everything requires time.

And that could make things difficult for PVF-CAND in the early rounds. That's why the confrontation between them andLam River, Nghe AnThe opening match of the 2025/26 season is more anticipated than ever.

In theory, facing an underdeveloped newcomer like PVF-CAND is a "golden" opportunity for the Nghe An team to secure all three points. However, complacency could cost them dearly, as PVF-CAND is clearly not an easy opponent to beat.

Hopefully, coach Phan Như Thuật's team will make good use of this opportunity to achieve a good result in their opening match.