Four V-League Clubs Eliminated in 2026-2027 National Cup Qualifying Round: When the Secondary Arena Is Put on the Scale

Over the past weekend, the qualifying round of the 2026-2027 National Cup featured eight matches, and the results produced one of the most notable moments of the tournament. Four clubs competing in the V-League were eliminated from the very first round. Among them, three lost directly at home. Only Bac Ninh FC, the sole representative from the V-League to advance, managed to beat Long An 3-2 away from home. That shows the National Cup is no longer an easy arena for bigger clubs; more precisely, bigger clubs are increasingly treating the National Cup as a burden to be discarded. Among the eliminated sides, Thanh Hoa attracted the most attention. The team from Thanh Hoa suffered a 0-2 home defeat against Becamex TP.HCM. This was not a surprising result if one looks at squad strength. Becamex TP.HCM were just relegated, but their squad is still considered no weaker than many V-League teams. They played with more determination, converted their chances well, and won without much difficulty. For observers, this is the image of a club nurturing the ambition of returning to the top flight. Hoang Anh Gia Lai also had a day to forget. Playing in Quy Nhon instead of the familiar Pleiku Stadium, the mountain-town team lost 2-3 to Hung Yen. Pleiku Stadium is being renovated because of poor drainage whenever it rains heavily, forcing the club to temporarily move to Quy Nhon. Without the familiar support of home fans, HAGL fell behind 3-1 from the 77th minute. In the 90+4 minute, they managed a consolation goal from the penalty spot to make it 2-3, but it was too late. Hung Yen showed greater desire, played with more cohesion, and deserved to progress. Hai Phong also extended the list of disappointments. At home, the team from the port city lost 0-1 to Thep Can Tho. Thep Can Tho had just moved their base from Quang Ninh to the western region of the Mekong Delta, and had lost their opening match in the 2026-2027 First Division. However, a flash of brilliance from new signing Thaileon in the first half was enough to produce the only and most important goal of the match. Hong Linh Ha Tinh did not lose in regular time but still exited the tournament on penalties. They drew 0-0 with Phu Tho after ninety minutes, then lost 2-3 in the shootout. This was one of the clearest examples of V-League clubs lacking sharpness when they had to face tense situations decided by composure and luck. What caused V-League clubs to fall one after another to First Division teams? The answer lies in their order of priorities. For many clubs without ambition to chase trophies, the National Cup is not the main target. Going deeper means higher travel costs, accommodation, and player bonuses. With thin squads and the need to rotate for the V-League, they cannot devote full energy to a competition of lower value. First Division clubs quickly recognize this and exploit it. Thanh Hoa's failure was not only about what happened on the pitch, but also about problems off it. The club only confirmed its existence shortly before the 2026-2027 V-League started. Their squad is limited because they lack funds to keep key players or sign new ones. Before facing Becamex TP.HCM, they were also hit by a major financial shock. FIFA had just ordered Thanh Hoa to pay more than 305,000 USD, roughly 8 billion VND, to striker Rimario Gordon after the player filed a lawsuit with FIFA. If the case is not resolved within 45 days from receiving the document on September 16, Thanh Hoa will be banned from registering new players for three consecutive transfer windows. Notably, this issue arose during the tenure of the old sponsor, while the club has now been handed over to a new sponsor. The looming debt has seriously affected the team's spirit and focus. In that context, losing early in the National Cup may not be the worst thing for them. Hoang Anh Gia Lai are also going through a difficult period. The mountain-town club have lost two consecutive matches at the start of the 2026-2027 V-League and are under huge pressure in the relegation race. This season's squad is even weaker than last season, while other clubs have invested more heavily. Facing a Hung Yen side full of desire, coach Le Quang Trai's men looked lifeless. However, losing early in the National Cup may actually benefit HAGL, as they can focus all resources on staying in the V-League, where every season they fight until the final rounds. Hai Phong and Hong Linh Ha Tinh had acceptable V-League starts, with one loss and one win each, but their exits in the National Cup were not shocking. For clubs with limited budgets, spending energy on an expensive cup competition with many risks is a luxury. They need to save energy, squad depth, and finances for the relegation battle ahead. The 2026-2027 National Cup still has a long way to go, but from the qualifying round, the contrast in objectives between clubs is already clear. First Division clubs have nothing to lose, they play with maximum intensity, and they use this tournament as a chance to make a name for themselves. Meanwhile, V-League clubs must calculate costs and survival. Football is not only about ninety minutes; it is also about the calculations made before the ball rolls. And in this qualifying round, many bigger clubs chose to step aside early, leaving the stage for those with greater hunger.