Unpredictable race
It is not surprising that Hanoi Police - the defending champion is highly rated. In terms of force, the Northern Police sector team has successfully retaken a series of stars from the end of last season such as Dinh Bac, Viet Anh, Dinh Trong, Quang Vinh, Nguyen Filip or Alan, Leo Arur. In addition, they added some quality foreign players, such as Bryan Perea. Newcomers from the Thai League soon integrated into the new team when continuously scoring goals in the AFC Champions League Elite play-offs or the National Super Cup.
The 5-0 victory in the National Super Cup match against Ho Chi Minh City Police further affirms the solid foundation of Hanoi Police. That is also an affirmation for Quang Hai and his teammates' ambition to defend the V.League throne.
Looking at the current situation, 5 other clubs are ready to compete with coach Polking's team. Ho Chi Minh City Police, although losing heavily in the Super Cup a few days ago, but considering the transfer and force investment process, coach Arthur Diles's team is considered a long-term counterweight.
Similarly, Ninh Binh also possesses a very good squad depth to aim for the long-distance race.
Two teams that have won the V.League, Hanoi FC and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, are also not standing aside. Coach Harry Kewell is tasked with winning at least 1 title in this year's tournament.
The former Liverpool legend has become familiar with the V.League's operations, and can assess the overall situation of the tournament and identify direct competitors. Two contracts named Adam Taggart and Cyrus Christie, although arriving quite late, are qualified to elevate the ambition of representing the Capital.
Meanwhile, Nam Dinh is gradually implementing rejuvenation of its forces.
This journey promises to create vitality and promote the desire to return to the V.League throne of coach Vu Hong Viet's team.
Who is the "red light" group calling?
Contrary to the optimistic picture from Hanoi Police, Ninh Binh or Nam Dinh... the relegation race also narrowed down some names before the new season started.
After miraculously staying in the league last season, Thanh Hoa FC has not yet escaped difficulties. The transfer of top management of the Thanh team was just completed not long ago.
Therefore, Thanh Hoa's force investment is not going smoothly when the squad is only at an average level. Meanwhile, coach Mai Xuan Hop's team has parted ways with a series of key players such as Doan Ngoc Tan, Trinh Xuan Hoang, Y Eli Nie, Nguyen Ngoc My...
Another team, SHB Da Nang, also needs to be careful with the risk of relegation, after 2 consecutive seasons of escaping danger.
In fact, this team has not recruited outstanding faces in the transfer market. The most notable name is Vo Huy Toan - former Vietnamese national team player. Meanwhile, they have to say goodbye to key star Nguyen Phi Hoang or goalkeeper Phan Van Bieu. If they do not accumulate enough points needed in the early stages of the season, the "rut" may be repeated with Da Nang.
Hai Phong FC is also in the area at risk of competing for a relegation spot.
New coach Dang Van Thanh faces a series of pressures when witnessing the departure of many key players such as Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Luong Hoang Nam, Pham Trung Hieu, Trieu Viet Hung...
