Thanh Hoa FC's Departure: From 18 Players to a Dream of Higher Standing

On the morning of September 4, at Thanh Hoa Stadium, a contrasting image appeared before my eyes. Last season, this team had only 18 players under coach Mai Xuan Hop – a rare number in V-League, where even the poorest clubs must have at least 25 players to rotate. Yet now, on the green grass, more than 30 names stood in orderly rows before new president Le Xuan Tuong. I stood at the corner of the pitch, noting every detail, and wondered: what had changed in such a short summer? The context of this change began with the crisis itself. In the 2026/26 season, Thanh Hoa played with 18 players, a squad so thin that any injury could become a disaster. They finished 11th – a survival achievement, built on disciplined defensive organization and fighting spirit rather than squad quality. But that survival had drained the club's finances. The arrival of businessman Le Xuan Tuong, chairman of T-Group and Thang Long Mechanical Tools Joint Stock Company, was like a fresh breeze blowing through a house on the verge of collapse. The squad expansion from 18 to 30+ players is the clearest financial signal. 26 domestic players, 4 foreigners, and 1 overseas Vietnamese – these numbers show serious investment, but also raise questions about quality. Among the 4 foreigners, there are 2 midfielders (Abdurakhmanov from Uzbekistan, Lovric Di Mateo) and 2 strikers (Monteiro Martins, Guindo). This distribution shows a clear attacking orientation, but also reveals a potential weakness: no foreign center-back. In V-League, where foreign strikers often have superior physique and strength, the absence of a foreign center-back could be a serious tactical vulnerability. The most interesting aspect of Thanh Hoa's recruitment strategy is using the overseas Vietnamese slot for Laotian international Damoth Thongkhamsavath. This is a smart regulatory move – V-League allows clubs to register overseas Vietnamese players outside the foreign quota. Using this slot for a player representing Laos shows that the club's recruitment department understands the rules well and knows how to optimize limited resources. This is a competitive advantage that not every club recognizes. But I cannot help but question the sustainability of this investment. My experience following V-League matches shows that squad expansion does not equal quality improvement. Two of the four foreign signings come from value markets – Uzbekistan and West Africa – where scouting quality is often inconsistent. If these players fail to perform, the club will find itself in a difficult position with insufficient finances for mid-season corrections. Public expectation is also a double-edged sword. Coach Mai Xuan Hop has publicly declared determination to achieve the "highest results" in both V-League and the National Cup. This declaration, in the context of a club just emerging from a crisis season, creates invisible pressure. If the team only finishes mid-table, public opinion could turn against the new president and coaching staff. I have witnessed too many cases in V-League where promises made at departure ceremonies became burdens for the entire season. The opening match against SHB Da Nang at home on September 6 will be the first test. This is a winnable fixture, and a victory would boost the whole team's confidence. But if results disappoint, criticism will begin immediately. I remember the 2026 season, when I followed English fans in London during the Euro final – they didn't blame Bukayo Saka when he missed the decisive penalty, but instead stayed silent and put their hands on each other's shoulders. That is the collective empathy I always seek in football. Can Thanh Hoa fans understand that squad expansion does not mean immediate perfection? The truth is, Thanh Hoa stands at an important crossroads. If T-Group's investment is long-term, the club can consolidate its mid-table position and push toward the top 5 within 2-3 seasons. But if this is only a short-term campaign, the club risks falling into a worse crisis than 2026/26. I have learned that in football, patience is a rare virtue – especially with new owners. Champions don't cry because of defeat – they cry because they miss the feeling of immortality. Thanh Hoa has never been champions, but they have experienced the feeling of victory in the survival battle. The question is: can they turn that survival into a foundation for sustainable development, or will they fall back into the cycle of promises and disappointment? When the stands are empty, I hear the heart of football beating slowly – and that heart is beating faster than ever in Thanh Hoa.