V-League 2026-2027 Opening Round: Suspensions, Obsessions and the Will to Rise Again

When the referee showed the straight red card in the final round of V-League 2026-2026, no one thought it would become the starting point for bigger stories in the new season. Nguyen Cong Nhat of Ha Noi FC received the red card, and in that moment, the entire season of the capital club seemed to collapse. They drew 1-1 in the match where he was sent off, and for the first time in 17 years, Ha Noi FC failed to finish in the top 3. That was not just a match; it was a crack in the collective memory of Vietnamese football fans. Now, as the 2026-2027 season is about to begin, that red card still carries its consequences. Nguyen Cong Nhat will have to sit out the first two rounds, including a turbulent away trip to Cong An TP.HCM – the team that beat Ha Noi 2-1 at their own home ground in the opening match of last season. At the same time, Doan Ngoc Tan, the new signing of The Cong – Viettel, will also miss the first round due to a straight red card received while playing for Thanh Hoa last season. Football rules are harsh: suspensions follow the player, not the old club. The V-League 2026-2027 opens with a turbulent context. Ha Noi FC, the team that once dominated Vietnamese football, is no longer an automatic title contender. Cong An TP.HCM, despite strong investment, has just suffered a humiliating 0-5 defeat to Cong An Ha Noi in the 2026 National Super Cup. The Cong – Viettel, the runner-up last season, is expected to compete for the title but must travel to face newly promoted Truong Tuoi Dong Nai without Doan Ngoc Tan. Both Ha Noi FC and Cong An TP.HCM have significantly changed their squads during the transfer window, creating a season full of promise and surprises. The absence of Nguyen Cong Nhat in the first two matches is a significant blow to Ha Noi FC. Based on my experience following matches, a player who receives a straight red card in the final round is usually a key figure in the squad – someone with great influence on the team's play. He is not just a position on the pitch but a link in the tactical system. Losing him for an away trip against an opponent who beat them in the opening match of last season creates immense psychological pressure. The head coach of Ha Noi FC will have to find a replacement, but the bigger question is: does the team have enough squad depth to overcome this difficult period? Cong An TP.HCM, under the guidance of coach Diles Athanasios Arthur, is very determined to win at home. But that determination can be a double-edged sword. The 0-5 defeat against their city rivals in the Super Cup reveals serious problems in their defense. A win against Ha Noi FC would help soothe the pain, but if the team pushes too high to find goals, they could leave deadly gaps at the back. Top-level football does not forgive reckless risk-taking. Meanwhile, the match between The Cong – Viettel and Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is a classic clash between a title contender and a promoted team. The Cong – Viettel is still rated higher, but the absence of Doan Ngoc Tan could create an imbalance in midfield. Dong Nai, with the excitement of a newly promoted team, could spring a surprise if they play with discipline and capitalize on set-piece situations. A contrarian perspective: the decline of Ha Noi FC could be good for Vietnamese football. For 17 years, their dominance created a certain monotony in the title race. The rise of clubs like The Cong – Viettel and Cong An TP.HCM, along with the emergence of ambitious newcomers, is creating a more exciting, more unpredictable league. The title race this season is no longer a one-team show but a colorful picture with multiple potential contenders. The opening round of V-League 2026-2027 is not just about matches; it is about stories of redemption and aspiration. Can Ha Noi FC rise from their historic fall? Can Cong An TP.HCM turn the 0-5 humiliation into motivation? And can The Cong – Viettel begin their title journey without obstacles? The answers will start to unfold from the very first minutes of the new season.