On 1/7, Quang Nam province and Da Nang city officially merged to form the expanded city of Da Nang. Rumors of a merger between the two local football clubs immediately surfaced. Despite this, both teams initially registered for the 2025-2026 V-League season, with Quang Nam scheduled to face SLNA in the opening round on 15/8.
Quang Nam also hosted a pre-season friendly tournament featuring Da Nang, HAGL, V-League newcomer Ninh Binh, and a South Korean student team. The team played yesterday, drawing 1-1 with Da Nang.
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Quang Nam (in yellow) defeated Da Nang 3-2 in round 3 of the 2024-2025 V-League at Hoa Xuan Stadium, Da Nang on 29/9/2024. Photo: VPF |
Quang Nam (in yellow) defeated Da Nang 3-2 in round 3 of the 2024-2025 V-League at Hoa Xuan Stadium, Da Nang on 29/9/2024. Photo: VPF
However, this afternoon, Quang Nam's CEO, Nguyen Trong, met with team members to announce their withdrawal from the 2025-2026 V-League. Da Nang FC will absorb Quang Nam's players who are still under contract for the upcoming V-League season. Players currently on trial will be free to negotiate with other teams.
Quang Nam FC was founded in 1997 after the separation of Quang Nam-Da Nang province. Initially, the team primarily competed in the Second and First Divisions, finally reaching the V-League in 2014. In 2017, Quang Nam surprisingly won the V-League title, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the province's re-establishment.
Quang Nam's success was short-lived, as they were relegated from the V-League in 2020. They bounced back, winning the First Division championship in 2023 to return to the V-League for the 2023-2024 season. However, they faced relegation battles for two consecutive seasons, finishing 11th out of 14 teams.
Da Nang FC also has a rich history in Vietnamese football, winning the V-League title twice, in 2009 and 2012. Last season, Da Nang had to compete in a relegation play-off, defeating Binh Phuoc 2-1 to retain their V-League status.
This isn't the first instance of provincial and city mergers impacting professional football. Dong Nai FC disbanded and merged with First Division side Binh Phuoc FC. In Ho Chi Minh City, TP HCM FC was renamed Cong An TP HCM FC, Binh Duong FC became Becamex TP HCM FC, and First Division team Ba Ria-Vung Tau FC was renamed TP HCM FC.
Da Nang FC has not indicated any plans to convert Quang Nam into a youth team to compete from the Third Division. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the V-League organizer, Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), will have to adjust their plans for the upcoming season with only 13 teams remaining.
Hieu Luong
