Lam Dong Football Faces V.League 2 Test

Lam Dong football moves from promotion to a tougher test

After earning promotion, coach Nguyen Xuan Hieu and his players now face the demanding standards of V.League 2, where squad depth, resilience and consistency throughout the season will determine their position in the standings.

The 2026/2027 National First Division, known as V.League 2, officially kicks off on September 11 with 14 teams and runs until May 16, 2027. Lam Dong are among the newcomers after securing promotion from the National Second Division.

Lam Dong's opening match is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on September 12 at Da Lat Stadium, against Ho Chi Minh City. The fixture presents a significant challenge for a team stepping up to a higher level.

It will be more than the opening game of a new season. For Lam Dong, it will also be the first test of the preparations made since earning promotion.

Lam Dong topped Group B in the 2026 National Second Division with 25 points from 12 matches, recording seven wins, four draws and just one defeat to qualify for the final round.

In the decisive match against Truong Giang Gia Dinh, Lam Dong showed their composure by winning 4-3 on penalties to secure a place in the 2026/2027 National First Division.

Looking back on the promotion campaign, Le Tri Dung, Deputy Director in charge of the Lam Dong Provincial Sports Training and Competition Center, said the achievement was built first and foremost on determination and team unity.

According to Le Tri Dung, Lam Dong played with a high level of commitment in the Second Division and maintained consistency throughout the group stage. In particular, in the decisive promotion match, the team demonstrated unity, composure and determination to overcome difficult moments.

But that success has also created a new challenge.

While the Second Division was where Lam Dong proved their ability to compete, V.League 2 will test the team's endurance over an entire season. The higher technical level, faster pace, greater difference in experience and longer schedule require a squad with sufficient depth.

The challenge cannot be solved by determination alone. To prepare for the new season, Lam Dong have signed 16 domestic players to strengthen the squad. Several of them have previous First Division experience, adding depth and experience to the team.

Among the attacking options, Pham Duy Hao, Phung Van Nam and Le Anh Toan are expected to provide new solutions in the final third.

In midfield, Le Hoang Phuong has previously played in the First Division for Khanh Hoa. Defender Cao Hoai An also has experience at this level.

In goal, alongside Truong Lam Nhat, Lam Dong have added Nguyen Thanh Phu, who previously played for Khanh Hoa.

The recruitment drive shows that the team understands the gap between the two divisions. However, adding new players is only the first step. The bigger challenge is integrating them into a core that played together last season.

A newly promoted team can often surprise opponents in its first matches through enthusiasm and momentum. Over a full season, however, consistency becomes the decisive factor.

This is where coach Nguyen Xuan Hieu and his staff will have an important role to play. The coaching team currently consists of head coach Nguyen Xuan Hieu and assistants Doan Quoc Viet, Tran Van Toan and Nguyen Duy Loi. The team is continuing to complete its personnel structure.

A difficult opener and a long season ahead

Hosting Ho Chi Minh City will not be an easy start, but it gives Lam Dong an opportunity to make an immediate impression on their return to professional football.

Head coach Nguyen Xuan Hieu said the home advantage at Da Lat Stadium could provide significant motivation, particularly with strong support from local fans. However, he stressed that the most important factor would be how Lam Dong approach the game.

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A newly promoted team needs confidence but cannot be hasty. If we push the defensive line too high, the spaces behind us can be exploited. But if we are too cautious, we could give up our home advantage.

Nguyen Xuan Hieu, head coach of Lam Dong Football Team

The team's organization, control of midfield areas and ability to transition between defense and attack will also be closely watched.

Against a more experienced opponent, concentration at every stage of the match could prove decisive.

For Lam Dong, a draw or victory in the opening game would provide an important psychological boost. Even if the result does not go their way, however, the season is long.

The priority will be to adapt quickly to the new pace, accumulate points and avoid running out of steam when the season reaches its decisive stages.

According to Le Tri Dung, immediately after securing promotion, the provincial sports sector focused on preparing the necessary conditions for the new season.

The preparations included strengthening the coaching staff, recruiting players, developing training and competition plans, arranging friendly matches and reviewing facilities, equipment, medical support, physical recovery, accommodation and other requirements for the team.

Such preparations are essential because V.League 2 requires not only competitive sporting performance but also professional standards in organization, competition and logistics.

For Lam Dong, the objective should therefore not be measured by a single match or the first few rounds.

Returning to V.League 2 should be seen as the starting point for a more systematic approach to high-performance football. Alongside the first team, continued youth development and the creation of a strong pipeline of young players will be crucial to the long-term and sustainable development of Lam Dong football.

The V.League 2 season features 14 teams and runs for more than eight months. The top two teams will earn direct promotion to V.League 1 for the 2027/2028 season, while the bottom two will be relegated to the Second Division.

In that race, Lam Dong may not be among the first names mentioned as promotion contenders. For a newly promoted team returning to professional football, however, establishing its position, developing a distinctive identity and steadily raising its competitive level may be more important.

The match against Ho Chi Minh City on September 12 will open that journey.

From Da Lat Stadium, Lam Dong will seek to prove that promotion was not the end of the journey, but the beginning of a new chapter for professional football in the province.