2026-2027 National Cup: Four V-League clubs knocked out in qualifying round - the bigger story is elsewhere

Eight matches in the qualifying round of the 2026-2027 National Cup produced one of the most telling weekends in Vietnamese football. Four of the five V-League clubs involved were eliminated, and three of them lost at home. On the surface, these were shocks. Look closer, and the signs had been there for weeks. Thanh Hoa lost 0-2 at home to Becamex TP.HCM, a newly relegated side with plenty of V-League experience and clear ambition. Thanh Hoa were already facing a FIFA order to pay more than 305,000 USD to Rimario Gordon, roughly 8 billion VND, within 45 days of the September 16 notice. Failure would mean a registration ban for three transfer windows. Financial uncertainty and a thin squad left them unable to compete. Hoang Anh Gia Lai lost 2-3 to Hung Yen in Quy Nhon, their temporary home while Pleiku's pitch is being repaired. They conceded three goals before scoring a late penalty in added time. With two straight V-League losses and a weaker squad than last season, an early cup exit is almost convenient. Hai Phong lost 0-1 at home to Can Tho Steel, whose new signing Thaileon scored the winner minutes after joining. Ha Tinh lost on penalties to Phu Tho after a goalless draw. These results are not random. For many V-League clubs, especially those near the relegation zone, the National Cup is a distraction. The cost of travelling deep into the competition is high, and the risk of losing key players is greater than the reward. First Division clubs, meanwhile, see these matches as their final. They fight harder, run more, and take advantage of rotated line-ups. The bigger issue is squad depth. Many V-League teams have only 11 to 14 reliable players. They cannot afford to play two competitions properly. Until that changes, cup upsets will keep coming. The coming weeks in V-League will reveal whether these clubs made the right choice.