2026-2027 National Cup: Four V-League clubs fall before the first-division wave

On Sunday afternoon at Quy Nhon Stadium, the final whistle blew as the scoreboard showed 2-3 for visitors Hung Yen. Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) players bowed their heads and left the pitch, leaving behind their dream of advancing in the 2026-2027 National Cup. It was one of four defeats suffered by V-League clubs against first-division opponents over the weekend; three of those losses came at home. The eight qualifying matches of this year's National Cup turned into a rare upset night for Vietnamese football. Except for Bac Ninh, who beat Long An 3-2 away, the other four V-League representatives all lost. Thanh Hoa lost 0-2 to Becamex Ho Chi Minh City at home. Becamex had just been relegated, but their squad was no weaker than the hosts; they played with more determination and won comfortably. HAGL lost 2-3 to Hung Yen at Quy Nhon, their temporary home, because Pleiku Stadium is under pitch renovation after poor drainage in heavy rain. Without the usual home crowd, HAGL trailed 1-3 from the 77th minute and only pulled one back from a penalty in the 90+4 minute. Hai Phong, despite playing at Lach Tray, lost 0-1 to Thep Can Tho – a team that had just moved from Quang Ninh to Can Tho and had lost its opening first-division match. New striker Thaileon, signed only days earlier, scored the only goal in the first half. Hong Linh Ha Tinh lost 2-3 on penalties to Phu Tho after a goalless 90 minutes. Based on my experience watching these matches, I believe these results were not random. For many V-League clubs without ambition, the National Cup is not a priority. Going deeper means higher travel and accommodation costs and more squad concerns, while staying in the V-League matters much more. Therefore, these clubs often approach the cup with indifference, giving first-division teams, who show more determination, a chance to cause surprises. The wave of defeats reflects more than squad strength; it shows that financial health and squad depth are the real measurement of football. Thanh Hoa is the clearest example. The team only confirmed its V-League place late, had limited resources to keep key players or sign new ones, and faced a major financial worry before the match: FIFA ordered them to pay more than $305,000, about 8 billion VND, to Jamaican striker Rimario Gordon after he filed a claim. If they do not resolve the case within 45 days of receiving the document on September 16, Thanh Hoa could be banned from registering new players for three transfer windows. The debt comes from the former sponsor's era, while the club now has a new sponsor. That financial puzzle explains why Thanh Hoa could not show its best on the pitch. HAGL are also struggling. The mountain town side lost their first two V-League matches of 2026-2027, and their squad is thinner than last season. Against a Hung Yen side full of desire, coach Le Quang Trai's team could not hold the game. But losing early in the National Cup might actually help them focus on the relegation fight they have faced for many seasons. Hai Phong and Hong Linh Ha Tinh had started the V-League with one win and one loss, so their cup defeats were not surprising. For them, saving energy for the national championship is a practical choice. Yet the repeated “secondary tournament” mindset is turning the National Cup into a place that exposes the rich-poor gap and the difference between determination and indifference. I remember what I have said for years: “Sports is not only about results.” Looking at the weekend matches, the scorelines tell the truth: first-division teams are playing with belief, while many V-League clubs are just going through the motions. “When the old wave recedes, I step onto a new platform – my voice remains mine.” The first division is stepping onto its own new platform. They are no longer underdogs; they are claiming justice through actual victories. The only bright spot for V-League this weekend was Bac Ninh. But that win also came against first-division Long An. The real story lies in the four defeats, because it shows the game is shifting from brand and reputation to operational capacity. If big clubs do not change their attitude towards the tournament, shocks like these will not stop at the qualifying round. For me, the 2026-2027 National Cup is more than a place to hunt trophies. It is a mirror reflecting the health of Vietnamese football, where a packed calendar, tight budgets, and a survival mentality dominate. The question is not why V-League teams lose, but whether they still want to win. When a tournament is treated as a burden, defeat is never a surprise.