National Cup 2026-2027: Four V-League Clubs Fall to First Division – Strategy or Disaster?

Last weekend, the qualifying round of the 2026-2027 National Cup witnessed a rare sight: four out of five V-League representatives were eliminated by first-division teams, three of them losing at home. Only Bac Ninh FC defeated Long An 3-2 away as the sole exception. On the surface, this is a shock for a football nation clearly showing a hierarchy. But looking deeper, it is not a professional collapse but a survival calculation by the big clubs – those who deliberately sacrificed a secondary trophy to save their main goal: staying in V-League. The first failure was Thanh Hoa FC, losing 0-2 at home to Becamex Ho Chi Minh City. The team had a squad not inferior, even rated higher than the newly relegated opponent. But the issue was mentality. Thanh Hoa only knew they would still exist just before the season started, after switching from the old sponsor to a new one. Meanwhile, FIFA had just issued a document dated September 16 requiring the club to pay over USD 305,000 (about VND 8 billion) to Jamaican striker Rimario Gordon after he filed a lawsuit. If not resolved within 45 days, Thanh Hoa would be banned from registering new players for three transfer windows. For a club in financial crisis, losing in the National Cup is a way to focus all energy on the relegation battle where every point counts. Next was Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), losing 2-3 to Hung Yen at Quy Nhon Stadium – their temporary home due to Pleiku's pitch renovation for poor drainage. HAGL conceded three goals from the 77th minute, before scoring a consolation penalty in the 90+4 minute. Their squad this season is even weaker than last year, and after two consecutive losses in V-League, they face a tough relegation fight. Being eliminated from the National Cup, though painful, could be a blessing as it allows HAGL to focus entirely on the championship – where they always struggle to stay up. Hai Phong FC also failed to surprise, losing 0-1 at home to Steel Can Tho. The team from the Western capital, just relocated from Quang Ninh, had lost their first match in the first division but were full of ambition. Striker Thaileon, who joined just days before, scored the only goal in the first half. Hai Phong has an acceptable start in V-League (one win, one loss), but clearly they do not want to waste energy in a secondary cup. Hong Linh Ha Tinh, despite also having a win in V-League, lost 2-3 to Phu Tho on penalties after a 0-0 draw in 90 minutes. They were the fourth team to extend the list of V-League clubs eliminated. What is happening? I have followed Vietnamese football for over a decade and seen many seasons like this. The National Cup, for clubs without title ambitions, is always a burden. Travel, accommodation, and most importantly the risk of injuries – none are worth it if the main goal is staying up. For teams like Thanh Hoa and HAGL, advancing deep in the cup could ruin the whole season. But look from a contrarian angle: losing could be winning. When a team exits the cup early, they gain time to train, preserve fitness, and avoid unnecessary matches. History shows many teams that lose early in the cup perform better in the league. This is not coincidence but a tacit strategy. I could be wrong, but look at the next V-League round. If the teams that just lost in the cup – Thanh Hoa, HAGL, Hai Phong, Ha Tinh – play better and earn points, the strategy was right. If they still slide, the issue is professional, not just motivation. For the first-division teams, this victory is a mental boost, but they need to prove they can win when opponents have a real goal. Vietnamese football is at a stage where clubs' survival depends on resource management. Losing in the National Cup, for many, is a failure; but for those struggling with financial pressure and relegation, it is a rational move. Let time tell whether that move pays off.