On 1/8, Quang Nam failed to meet the deadline set by the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), the V-League organizer. The team didn't submit their player registration list or financial documents by the 5 PM deadline.
Quang Nam is considered to have withdrawn from the league. The next course of action was to promote a first division team to maintain 14 teams in the V-League.
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PVF-CAND competing in the National First Division 2024-2025. Photo: PVF-CAND |
PVF-CAND competing in the National First Division 2024-2025. Photo: PVF-CAND
The initial plan was to promote Dong Nai, formerly Binh Phuoc, the runner-up of last season's first division. However, the team declined the V-League spot, stating they had only prepared for the first division and weren't ready for the V-League.
The VPF then invited PVF-CAND, who finished third in the first division last season. Had PVF-CAND also declined, the V-League 2025-2026 season would have proceeded with 13 teams, requiring the VPF to redraw the match schedule.
Initially, PVF-CAND declined for similar reasons as Dong Nai. However, on the morning of 2/8, they reversed their decision and will take Quang Nam's place, preventing a redrawing of the schedule.
Given the exceptional circumstances, the VPF extended PVF-CAND's player registration deadline to 5 PM on 8/8.
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PVF-CAND midfielder Nguyen Xuan Bac celebrates his goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Vietnam against the Philippines in the U23 Southeast Asia Championship 2025 semi-final. Photo: Hai Tu |
PVF-CAND midfielder Nguyen Xuan Bac celebrates his goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Vietnam against the Philippines in the U23 Southeast Asia Championship 2025 semi-final. Photo: Hai Tu
PVF-CAND now has a week to strengthen their squad, particularly the four foreign player positions. Their domestic players include several experienced U19 and U23 Vietnam internationals. Recently, center-back Nguyen Hieu Minh and midfielder Nguyen Xuan Bac contributed to Vietnam's U23 Southeast Asia Championship 2025 victory. Led by coach Thach Bao Khanh, PVF-CAND also boasts V-League veterans like midfielder Nguyen Huy Hung, defenders Le Ngoc Bao and Nguyen Van Dung, and goalkeeper Phi Minh Long.
PVF-CAND has committed to improving their facilities to meet V-League standards. They will expand stand B at their Hung Yen stadium, increasing capacity from 4,500 to 10,000, the minimum requirement. The stands must also accommodate VAR technology.
PVF-CAND was founded in 2018 as Pho Hien. The team was renamed PVF-CAND in 2023 after being transferred to the Ministry of Public Security. They have twice competed in V-League promotion playoffs, losing to Thanh Hoa in 2019 and Ha Tinh in 2024.
With PVF-CAND's promotion, the Ministry of Public Security will have three teams in the V-League: Cong An Ha Noi and Cong An TP HCM (formerly TP HCM FC).
Hieu Luong
