Ahead of Round 9 of V.League 2022: 'For whom will the bell toll?'

Round 8 has officially concluded with two late matches: Hanoi FC vs. Saigon FC (3-1) and Ho Chi Minh City FC vs. Hong Linh Ha Tinh (1-2). Thus, for yet another round, Saigon football fans will not get to enjoy a victory for their team. The pressure on coaches Phung Thanh Phuong (Saigon FC) and Tran Minh Chien (Ho Chi Minh City FC) is growing ever stronger.

Saigon FC (in pink jerseys), coached by Phung Thanh Phuong, just lost to Hanoi FC with a score of 1-3. Photo: VPF

Currently, on the leaderboardV.League 2022After 8 rounds, the two teams from Ho Chi Minh City are languishing in the bottom two positions. Although the point difference with their rivals above them is not too large and the V.League 2022 has not yet finished the first half of the season, the chances of Saigon FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC escaping the "danger zone" are extremely slim.

Objectively speaking, the quality of the squads of Saigon FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC this season has not been highly rated by experts. From the domestic players to the "mercenary" players, none have met the requirements, neither in terms of ability nor fighting spirit. Clearly, with such "raw materials," how can coaches Phung Thanh Phuong and Tran Minh Chien possibly "mold the clay" into something worthwhile?

Coach Tran Minh Chien is under immense pressure due to the disappointing results of Ho Chi Minh City FC. (Photo: Archival image)

Of course, as the "leaders," the responsibilities of coaches Phung Thanh Phuong and Tran Minh Chien are considerable. Like a rule in football, whenever a team performs poorly, the head coach always bears the brunt of public criticism. In the worst-case scenario, they might even be ruthlessly dismissed by the management.

Witnessing the lackluster and weak performances of Saigon FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC recently, most Vietnamese football fans believe that the time in charge of coaches Phung Thanh Phuong and Tran Minh Chien is running out. Therefore, the hope of achieving a positive result for Saigon FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC in Round 9, taking place on July 23rd and 24th, is highly unlikely.

While Saigon FC faces a tough opponent in Nam Dinh, coach Tran Minh Chien's team also has to play away against Viettel. With their current poor form and squad, securing all three points is almost impossible. And if that happens, either coach Phung Thanh Phuong or coach Tran Minh Chien, or both, will have to pack their bags and leave Thong Nhat Stadium.

Let's wait and see who will be the first coach in V.League 2022 to lose their job?