'The curious case' of HAGL: Champion once a year, runner-up once a year

29/12/2025 07:53:00 VictoryVox

Contrary to their poor form in the V-League 2025/2026, HAGL appears to be specialists at winning training tournaments, having just secured the championship at the invitational event in Thai Nguyen. Earlier, the Mountain Town club also finished as runners-up at the 8th Thien Long Sport Football Tournament competing for the ThaiGroup Cup in July 2025 in Tam Ky, Da Nang.

The tournament inaugurating Thai Nguyen Stadium had four participating teams: besides HAGL, there were PVF CAND, Hanoi Club, and Viettel The Cong. HAGL’s young players unexpectedly clinched the championship, edging out PVF CAND on goal difference, since in the final round, Hanoi FC and Viettel The Cong drew 2-2.

Entering the V-League 2025/2026, HAGL was categorized among the teams fighting to avoid relegation, after the last members of the 1995-born player generation left Ham Rong. Minh Vuong transferred to Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc, while Chau Ngoc Quang and young striker Quoc Viet moved to Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh. The Mountain Town team was left with only young players, and survival became the utmost priority for coach Le Quang Trai.

HAGL (left) just won the friendly tournament in Thai Nguyen, but their main focus remains surviving in the V-League 2025/26 season.

During their preparation for the new season, HAGL held at least two quality training sessions: one was the Thien Long Sport - ThaiGroup Cup 2025 in Tam Ky, and the other was a tour in Thailand.

The tournament in Tam Ky, Quang Nam, before the merger of Quang Nam into Da Nang, saw HAGL initially underestimated compared to rivals like Ninh Binh, the Korean Student Team, SHB Da Nang, and host Quang Nam. However, under the leadership of Technical Director Vu Tien Thanh (head coach Le Quang Trai was studying in Japan at that time), the mostly young squad surprisingly finished as runners-up, only behind Ninh Binh.

HAGL not only played well but also played fairly, earning the Fair Play award. The entire Fair Play prize money was later donated by HAGL to the tournament organizers’ charity fund, dedicated to families who contributed to the Revolution in Tam Ky.

Despite losing the final match, HAGL still won the Four-Team Cup thanks to the dramatic game between Hanoi FC and Viettel The Cong.

Returning to this season’s relegation battle, alongside HAGL, teams such as SHB Da Nang, SLNA, Thanh Hoa, and newcomer PVF CAND are also expected to face significant challenges. Thanh Hoa, after their main sponsor Dong A’s owner was arrested, is almost certain to be relegated next season. The remaining half spot will be fiercely contested by the aforementioned teams. The reality halfway through the season matches the predictions of Sports & Culture.

Therefore, even though they recently won the championship in Thai Nguyen and were runners-up in Tam Ky, HAGL must confront the harsh reality: the fight against relegation. Currently third from the bottom with only 8 points after 11 matches and just one point ahead of last-placed SHB Da Nang, the remainder of the season will be very tough for HAGL.

Every victory holds value, so enjoy the moment and then keep striving! Wishing coach Le Quang Trai and his players resilience and toughness to continue pursuing their dream in Vietnam’s top football league, a competition they have won twice before.

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