2026-2027 National Cup: Four V-League clubs fall in qualifying round

The 2026-2027 National Cup qualifying round delivered one of the biggest shocks in Vietnamese football history: four out of five V-League representatives were eliminated in the opening stage. Only Bac Ninh survived, beating Long An 3-2. Thanh Hoa lost 0-2 at home to Becamex TP.HCM, Hoang Anh Gia Lai fell 2-3 to Hung Yen in Quy Nhon, Hai Phong suffered a shock 0-1 defeat to Can Tho Steel, and Hong Linh Ha Tinh lost on penalties to Phu Tho. The results exposed deep structural problems in Vietnamese football. Many V-League clubs treat the National Cup as a burden. With a tight budget, thin squads and the constant threat of relegation, they prefer to focus on the league. The financial crisis at Thanh Hoa is a telling example. The club has been ordered by FIFA to pay over 305,000 USD to former striker Rimario Gordon. If they fail to settle the debt within 45 days, they will face a transfer ban for three windows. The match itself reflected this instability. Thanh Hoa showed little ambition, while Becamex TP.HCM, despite playing in the First Division, displayed superior organization and determination. Hoang Anh Gia Lai also struggled. With Pleiku Stadium under renovation, they played in Quy Nhon without home support. A young and weakened squad could not cope with a Hung Yen team hungry for promotion. Hai Phong's loss was perhaps the most surprising. They conceded early to Thaileon, a new signing for Can Tho Steel, and never recovered. Hong Linh Ha Tinh, meanwhile, lacked sharpness in a goalless draw and lost the penalty shootout 2-3. A contrarian view suggests these early exits may actually help the relegated-threatened clubs. They save money, reduce injury risks and gain extra time to prepare for crucial V-League matches. But it also questions the value of the National Cup. If top-division clubs continue to show indifference, sponsors will lose interest. The league system needs reform, better financial management, and stronger infrastructure. The gap between V-League and First Division teams is narrowing, and the old hierarchy no longer guarantees results. This is a warning, but also an opportunity for Vietnamese football to evolve.