Pre-match information
PVF-CAND will enter the play-off match to decide the V.League spot after closing the 2025-2026 season in 13th place. The police team won 24 points, equal to Becamex TPHCM but ranked above thanks to head-to-head record.
Although coach Tran Tien Dai's team's late-season breakthrough exceeded expectations, they still had to compete for relegation tickets with the runner-up of the National First Division, Bac Ninh FC.
This is the third time PVF-CAND has participated in the promotion play-off. The previous two times, this team could not overcome the challenge. In 2019, when they were still named Pho Hien (First Division), they lost to Thanh Hoa. In the 2023-2024 season, PVF-CAND (First Division) continued to succumb to Hong Linh Ha Tinh.
However, the V.League representative is still rated slightly higher thanks to spending the whole season in a more competitive environment. However, Bac Ninh is not an easy opponent to underestimate.
The Kinh Bac team is heavily invested, with the professional support of advisor Park Hang-seo and owns many experienced players such as Hai Huy, Duc Chinh, Tuan Linh, Xuan Quyet or Van Dai.
In attack, Bruno Cunha is the biggest hope. The former V.League top scorer scored 10 goals even though he only joined Bac Ninh from the second leg.
According to regulations, each team is only allowed to register one foreign player in this decisive match. PVF-CAND has an advantage with naturalized striker Hoang Vu Samson, while Bac Ninh places expectations on Bruno Cunha's scoring ability.
