"Overall horses" through the seasons
In the past 4 seasons, V.League has always had teams playing the role of "dark horse" competing with brilliant form. In 2022, Hai Phong club flourished with Gordon Rimario. This team competes for the championship with Hanoi FC until the final rounds.
In the last 3 seasons, it was Thanh Hoa club's turn to become a phenomenon with coach Velizar Popov. However, only in 2023 can Thanh Hoa compete for the championship with Hanoi Police, The Cong Viettel or Hanoi FC. In the past two seasons, the Thanh team has finished the tournament in the bottom half of the rankings.
It would be un saying if they were still often leading after the first leg but were exhausted and lost and drew a lot in the second leg. This year, coach Popov and Thanh Hoa did not win 11 consecutive matches before this coach said goodbye to the Thanh team.
Replacing Thanh Hoa is Hong Linh Ha Tinh. The Central region representative was almost relegated last season but this season has played well. They have lost only 3/25 matches, won 7 and drawn 15.
V.League has no surprises
Thanh Hoa's success lies in the National Cup. In specific matches, they are hardly afraid of any opponent. But when starting the school race, this team, like Ha Tinh or Hai Phong, did not have enough strength and power to compete with big teams.
Nam Dinh, Hanoi Police, The Cong Viettel and Hanoi FC will still share the highest positions on the rankings. In fact, V.League becomes more predictable because usually only one team resolves the situation early, takes the upper hand and wins the championship about 2 rounds early. That is the story that Nam Dinh wrote in the last two seasons.
In contrast, relegation races are often attractive until the final rounds. Last weekend, round 25 witnessed a change in position in the bottom group every minute.
Song Lam Nghe An was behind 2-0 and played with one less player but still came back to beat Hoang Anh Gia Lai 3-2. Da Nang revived their hope of staying in the league when they drew 2-2 with Ha Tinh. Ho Chi Minh City overcame difficulties to defeat Binh Dinh at least 1-0. But, among the surprises, there were still matches that fans were very... unlikely to believe.
Conceptions such as theater and performing on stage have no evidence at all. In any football context, the motivation of a club at the end of the season is still unpredictable.
