The brightest highlight of the LPBank V-League 2024/25 was Thep Xanh Nam Dinh’s successful title defense.

Coach Vu Hong Viet’s team overcame numerous challenges, including competing on multiple fronts and losing key striker Xuan Son after just a few rounds. Their resilience, determination, and strong investment in squad depth allowed them to overcome adversity and claim a well-deserved title in a season with few true contenders.

While the defending champions maintained their fire, last year’s runners-up Binh Dinh experienced a dramatic decline. Due to various factors, the club plummeted in form and ultimately received a relegation ticket just a few seasons after returning to the V-League.

Another noteworthy highlight was forward Tien Linh of Binh Duong FC. He earned a shared Golden Boot title, marking a season of commendable effort.

This achievement is particularly impressive considering that no Vietnamese striker had won the award since Nguyen Anh Duc nearly a decade ago - given the stiff competition from foreign forwards. Tien Linh’s success thus stands out as a significant milestone of the 2024/25 season.

Overall, the season ended without many explosive star moments. No new young talents emerged capable of lighting up the pitch or generating major fan excitement.

While the 2024/25 season did not see major leaps forward, issues with organization or refereeing were not primary concerns. Instead, much of the emotional disconnect among fans stemmed from underwhelming performances by several clubs.

Inconsistent form and poor results across multiple teams contributed to tepid crowd turnouts. Some matches even left fans feeling disappointed or disengaged.

Furthermore, the league’s failure to produce many new high-caliber players for the national team leaves head coach Kim Sang Sik facing a challenging task - especially as rivals like Indonesia and Malaysia aggressively naturalize foreign talent.

Duy Nguyen