Thanh Hóa face challenge to defend National Cup title

Football  

VPF conducts draws for the National Cup and V.League 2 on September 12 in Hà Nội. VNS Photo 

HÀ NỘI — Defending champions Đông Á Thanh Hóa have found themselves in a tough bracket for the National Cup 2024 following a draw conducted by the Việt Nam Professional Football Company (PVF) on September 12 in Hà Nội.

The tournament, which will begin on October 19, features 25 teams -- 14 of which are from the premier league, V.League 1. The other teams hail from the First Division, V.League 2.

According to the rules, the seven strongest teams from last year's tournament will get byes to play starting in the last 16 round. The seven teams are Thanh Hóa, first runners-up Hà Nội FC, Thép Xanh Nam Định, third place winners Thể Công Viettel, Hà Nội Police, Sông Lam Nghệ An and LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

The other 18 teams will take part in qualification matches, with the winners joining the top seven.

After the drawing, Thanh Hóa found themselves in the strongest bracket alongside powerhouses like the Hà Nội Police, Thể Công Viettel and Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

V.League 2's PVF, Youth HCM City and Trường Tươi Bình Phước also promise to be intimidating forces after an impressive performance last season.

In the opening match, Thanh Hóa will host the winner of the match between Hải Phòng and Quảng Nam.

Thanh Hóa have won the tournament twice in the last two years. In their recent send-off ceremony, the team set a target of winning the title for the third time on June 29, 2025.

A prize of VNĐ2 billion (US$82,000) will be given to the champions.

Also on September 12, VPF conducted a draw for V.League 2.

Eleven teams will play in a round robin two-leg home-and-away format from October 25 to June 21, 2025. In the opening match, Long An will host PVF at Long An Stadium.

This year, clubs are allowed to register a maximum of two overseas Vietnamese players, one more player compared to last season. According to organisers, this new rule promises to increase the profile of the tournament, helping attract resources for overseas Vietnamese players to return home to compete and contribute to developing football in Việt Nam.

The champions will receive the $82,000 award and be promoted to the V.League 1. The first runners-up will take part in a play-off match against V.league 1's second-from-bottom club, vying for a slot in the premier league in the 2025-26 season.

The bottom team will be relegated to the Second Division. VNS