V-League 2024/25: A fierce battle for survival ensues after Hanoi Police team clinched the title early.
Although Hanoi Police FC secured the championship early, the V-League maintained its breathtaking intensity thanks to the race for the bronze medal and the fierce relegation battle among the bottom teams.
A convincing victory against Thanh Hoa in round 23 officially crowned Hanoi Police FC as V-League champions three rounds early. Although the title race was decided early thanks to the dominance of the police team, Vietnam's top football league still maintained its special appeal due to the dramatic developments at both ends of the standings.
The race for the bronze medal: Ninh Binh vs. Hanoi
With the runner-up spot almost certainly secured by The Cong Viettel, third place is becoming a fiercely contested battle between Ninh Binh Club and Hanoi Club. Ninh Binh currently holds the advantage with 44 points. The team, boasting Golden Ball winner Nguyen Hoang Duc, is striving to regain stability after a series of inconsistent matches in order to protect their lead in the final stages of the season.
On the other side of the battlefield, Hanoi, under the leadership of coach Harry Kewell, is showing a strong resurgence. With a resounding victory against PVF-CAND, the capital city team is now only 2 points behind their rivals. However, the fixture list favors Ninh Binh as they only face opponents who have nothing left to play for, such as Ha Tinh. Conversely, Hanoi will have to face the immense challenges of Nam Dinh and HAGL.
A breathtaking battle for survival at the bottom of the table.
Unlike the stability at the top of the table, the relegation battle is unfolding in the most unpredictable way, involving HAGL, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and PVF-CAND. The team from Pleiku is in a precarious situation after two consecutive defeats at home under coach Le Quang Trai.
A five-point lead over the play-off zone is no longer a safe margin if HAGL continues to stumble. Similar pressure is also weighing on Becamex TP.HCM, as they risk sinking further if they don't achieve a positive result against SLNA in the next round.
Most notably, Da Nang has risen to prominence. Under the guidance of coach Le Duc Tuan, the team from Central Vietnam is displaying a resilient spirit with nothing to lose. Da Nang's ability to overcome difficulties is being impressively demonstrated through valuable points earned against strong opponents.
Meanwhile, PVF-CAND, despite facing a grueling schedule against The Cong Viettel and Hai Phong, is still ready to spring a surprise as they are backed into a corner. Round 24 promises to be a decisive turning point for the entire season with dramatic head-to-head matches.
