HAGL, once hovering near danger, have recorded back-to-back victories, including a statement win over second-placed Ninh Bình FC and a crucial result against fellow strugglers Đà Nẵng FC. The six-point surge has lifted them to eighth on 14 points, reversing their precarious position in November. Key performances from Minh Tâm, Trung Kiên, Quang Kiệt, Thái Sơn, and Marciel also handed Ninh Bình their first home defeat of the season.
But HAGL are not alone in redefining the relegation battle. Sông Lam Nghệ An (SLNA), playing with 10 men, stunned title-chasing Thể Công Viettel with a 4-1 away victory, their biggest win of the season. The result marks their second triumph under coach Văn Sỹ Sơn, following a 2-1 win over Công An TP.HCM (CA TP.HCM), and could become a turning point for the league’s youngest squad.
Amid their own struggles, CA TP.HCM slipped again, losing to a revitalised Thanh Hóa FC despite recent reinforcements. Both sides produced similar statistical outputs, near-identical shot counts (10–9), passing accuracy (66.7%–61.4%), and disciplinary numbers, but Thanh Hóa exceeded expectations. Their emotional celebrations reflected a run of six points from their last three fixtures, equalling their total from the previous 10 rounds.
A day earlier, PVF-CAND also delivered a surprise result in Ho Chi Minh City, overturning an early goal from national team defender Hồ Tấn Tài. Despite receiving six yellow cards in the final hour to blunt Becamex TP.HCM’s advances, PVF-CAND embraced a pragmatic, hard-nosed approach shaped by coach Nguyễn Thành Công. Goals from Samson and rising prospect Thái Bá Đạt ended their 12-match winless streak and restored momentum.
With form trending upward, HAGL, SLNA, Thanh Hóa, and PVF-CAND appear eager for additional rounds before the Lunar New Year break to further consolidate their survival hopes.
At the opposite end, Đà Nẵng, now bottom after three straight defeats, are seeking respite from the pause in competition, hoping the February 24 restart will allow time to reset physically and mentally after their downturn.
(Source: TNO)