Two contrasting paintings before the National Cup semi-finals

Eagerly ambitious

Less than 1 week after the race for the top 3 position in V.League 2024-2025, Hanoi Police Club and The Cong Viettel faced each other again in the semi-finals of the National Cup for tickets to the final match and aim for a ticket to the AFC Champions League Two 2025-2026.

Unlike the Southeast Asian Club Championship that has not yet officially determined the participating teams, AFC will soon plan two representatives of Vietnam, including the V.League champion team and the National Cup, to participate in the second division tournament at the continental level. A noteworthy point, similar to the 2024-2025 season, VFF and VPF allow international teams to register unlimited foreign players.

Based on this, potential teams such as Hanoi Police or The Cong Viettel are more motivated to aim for the National Cup title. Because this is like a ticket through, not only helping them win titles and participate in the Asian arena, but also creating leverage to develop the depth of the squad.

Both sides are fully focused on the semi-final of the National Cup. Hanoi Police have been preparing for this match for a week. The ice surgery and study of the opponent were meticulously prepared by coach Mano Polking and his colleagues. In recent professional training sessions, the Police team has often "shut down", limiting the work of reporters when entering the tactical training stage. The return of Dinh Bac and Viet Anh brings Hanoi Police many options for the squad, in addition to the pillars who have played continuously in recent times.

With The Cong Viettel, in parallel with the transfer process towards the new season, coach Velizar Popov and his team are also ready for the competition with the same city. In fact, inviting a strategist who has won 2 consecutive National Cups like Mr. Popov shows the great ambition of the army team on this front. In terms of force, The Cong Viettel also has an optimal squad with a high concentration spirit.

What to do after staying in the V.League?

Unlike the spirit of the match between Hanoi Police and The Cong Viettel, the remaining semi-final match between Song Lam Nghe An and Binh Duong took place in the context that both sides were somewhat exhausted after completing the goal of staying in the V.League this season.

Song Lam Nghe An has just escaped the penalty shootout more than a week ago. This is not too surprising as the club's operating budget is not abundant. The Nghe An team was even forced to promote many young players aged 19-21 to the first team right from the start of the V.League.

To be able to complete the goal of staying in the top flight, Song Lam Nghe An had to work very hard and do their best. Invisibly, at this time, coach Phan Nhu Thuat's students are quite exhausted before entering the semi-final of the National Cup.

Notably, Song Lam Nghe An does not have much aspiration to compete for the National Cup championship. In addition to the story of internal resources that are difficult from financial to personnel, the Nghe An representative was also not licensed by AFC to participate in the Asian tournament next season.

Meanwhile, Binh Duong may not be really ready for the National Cup. A series of incidents in the coaching staff position throughout the past season have been enough to make the team from the land of Thu Dau Dinh tired. From a heavily invested club, Binh Duong has fallen behind in the middle and at the end of the season.

Also at this stage, a series of stars have declined in form, been ineffective in competition or suffered injuries. Even when V.League 2024-2025 had not yet finished, many rumors about the future of the pillars had appeared in the press. Internal problems that cannot be completely resolved may become a barrier for Binh Duong itself to aim for the National Cup title this season.