Song Lam Nghe An lost to host PVF-CAND on the opening day of V.League 2025/26

PVF-CAND is a new name in V.League, winning a place to participate after Quang Nam dissolved and Binh Phuoc refused to be promoted. However, with less than 2 weeks of preparation and only one friendly match against The Cong Viettel, coach Thach Bao Khanh's team brings many concerns about its strength when competing in the highest football environment in Vietnam.

Meanwhile,Lam River Nghe AnAlthough they do not have a team with many stars, they are a team with a lot of experience. In recent years, the Nghe An team has faced a situation of "force loss", but in return, they always maintain a fiery fighting spirit, especially with a squad of young, eager players.

In the first match, Coach Phan Nhu Thuat was very careful when launching the starting lineup considered the strongest that SLNA had including: goalkeeper Cao Van Binh; defense including Ba Quyen, Van Khanh, Justin Julian and Van Huy; midfield including Quang Vinh, Carlos Enrique, Khac Ngoc, Manh Quynh, Ho Van Cuong; in attack, Olaha was still the main spearhead.

Despite facing many financial difficulties in recent seasons, the Vinh Stadium team is still a tough opponent for the teams in the relegation group. Therefore, even when playing at home, PVF-CAND will not easily achieve the target of 3 points.

However, with the advantage of playing at home, PVF-CAND entered the game quite proactively. In the 7th minute, this team had the first shot towards SLNA's goal. From Van Khanh's inaccurate clearance, the ball came to Truong Van Thai Quy's feet, this player fired a long shot from outside the penalty area, but the ball went higher than Van Binh's goal.

After losing the game in the first few minutes, SLNA quickly regained their rhythm and organized many sharp attacks. In the 16th minute, from a combination in the middle of the field, Olaha skillfully eliminated the home defender and then fired a powerful shot, but the ball went wide of the PVF-CAND goal.

Just 4 minutes later, from a well-coordinated pass in the middle, Manh Quynh handled the ball skillfully before unleashing a beautiful curling shot, but goalkeeper Phi Minh Long flew to save it with his fingertips, forcing SLNA to receive a corner kick.

Despite many attacks but not taking advantage of opportunities, SLNA had to pay the price in the last minute of the first half. From a mistake by defender Vuong Van Huy, midfielder Vo Anh Quan stole the ball, accelerated down to the sideline before making an accurate cross for striker Amarido to tap in neatly, opening the score for PVF-CAND. This was also the result that ended the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, coach Phan Nhu Thuat decided to strengthen the attack. The Nghe An coach decided to replace midfielder Carlos Enrique with striker Moore. Thus, Song Lam Nghe An will play with 2 foreign strikers.

It was this substitution that helped the Nghe An team play more effectively. After many missed opportunities at the end of the 58th minute, Song Lam Nghe An brought the match back to balance. Starting from a cross from the left wing by Vuong Van Huy, Olaha jumped high to head the ball, hitting the post, but this player was immediately there to score the rebound into Phi Minh Long's net, equalizing the score 1-1 for Song Lam Nghe An.

However, just over 5 minutes later, PVF-CAND once again scored a goal to take the lead. From a cross from a PVF-CAND midfielder on the right wing, Song Lam Nghe An's defense failed to clear the ball well, allowing it to fly across the goal. MPande was there at the right time to head the ball into an empty net, raising the score to 2-1 for the home team.

Despite conceding a goal, Song Lam Nghe An's situation became more difficult when center-back Justin received a red card and left the field after kicking his opponent.

In the final minutes of the match, despite playing with great effort, due to lack of players, Song Lam Nghe An could not find an equalizer and had to accept a 1-2 defeat against PVF-CAND.

In round 2, Song Lam Nghe An will face a big challenge when they have to welcome defending champion Thep Xanh Nam Dinh at Vinh Stadium.