Binh Phuoc accidentally makes the First Division attractive
Phu Dong Ninh Binh Club has soon won the 2024-2025 National First Division championship and the direct relegation zone is Hue. However, this tournament still has a notable race, which is the runner-up competition, which means the play-off spot for the team behind the V.League. This confrontation will decide the final ticket to participate in the highest tournament in Vietnam in the 2025-2026 season.
At this time, the two teams competing for the second place in the end are Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc and PVF-CAND. Until the lower-level match on June 21, Binh Phuoc was ranked second in the group with 41 points, while PVF-CAND was closely behind with only 1 point behind. The defeat against Ninh Binh in the penultimate match prevented Binh Phuoc from ending the season as runners-up soon. They even let PVF-CAND almost catch up after an important victory over Khanh Hoa.
The race for the runner-up position became more attractive partly due to the decline of Binh Phuoc in the final stage in May. In addition to the 0-3 defeat to Phu Dong Ninh Binh, they also missed the opportunity to decide the rankings twice when they drew 1-1 with Dong Nam and drew 0-0 with PVF-CAND when facing directly. If they had not stumbled in the above 3 matches, Binh Phuoc could have calculated to play in the play-off instead of having to hold on in the final round to ensure the current 2nd place.
Looking more deep into Binh Phuoc's bad streak, the problem of the attack is the big reason. This team has only scored 2 goals in the last 4 matches. When Cong Phuong failed to score, was injured or Luu Tu Nhan was isolated by the opponent, Binh Phuoc did not have many options to solve the match.
What are the opportunities for Binh Phuoc, PVF-CAND?
Basically, Binh Phuoc still has the right to decide for the runner-up position as well as the play-off position. They are 1 point ahead of PVF-CAND and have a balanced head-to-head record (matched in both the first and second legs). In addition, the goal difference of both sides is equal to the same number of +14 before the final round takes place. Of course, if they win against Long An in the final round, Cong Phuong and his teammates will solemnly participate in the play-off match without having to care about the result of the match between PVF-CAND and Dong Nai.
In other cases, Binh Phuoc will still finish the season in second place if the result between them and Long An is good or equal to what PVF-CAND had when playing Dong Nai in the match at the same time. For example, if Binh Phuoc loses to Long An and PVF-CAND also fails, Binh Phuoc will still be 1 point ahead of PVF-CAND. Or, if Binh Phuoc draws with Long An and PVF-CAND does not win against Dong Nai, the Southern representative will still have a place in the play-off.
The disadvantage in points and direct head-to-head record makes PVF-CAND not have the right to decide for themselves when competing with Binh Phuoc. If they want to create a surprise in the final round, coach Thach Bao Khanh's team must simultaneously meet many conditions. Accordingly, PVF-CAND must have a result against Dong Nai to be better than what Binh Phuoc had when meeting Long An.
For example, PVF-CAND drew with Dong Nai in the final round while Binh Phuoc lost to Long An, at that time, PVF-CAND was tied with Binh Phuoc. However, considering the criteria for the goal difference, PVF-CAND with a goal difference of +14 is certainly higher than Binh Phuoc at that time (from +13 and below due to having lost by at least 1 goal against Long An). Or, PVF-CAND won against Dong Nai, while Binh Phuoc drew or lost to Long An. At this time, Thanh Nhan and his teammates will be at least 1 point ahead of the representative of the Southeast region.
Binh Phuoc has a big advantage, but if they are subjective, coach Huynh Quoc Anh and his team may have to pay a heavy price. And no matter which team wins the runner-up position, the 2024-2025 First Division has "won" because the passion is still present positively and attractively until the final round.
The matches in round 22 of the 2024-2025 National First Division will take place at 4:00 p.m. on June 21.
