CAND Kick-Off: V-League Promotion Ambitions and Tactical Mysteries

When gray hair talks about football, don't rush to cover your ears — because the fire is still red. I've been in this seat for 48 years, and I've noticed something: state-backed clubs never lack money, but they always lack something more important — identity. CAND has officially kicked off their 2026-2027 First Division campaign, and with the Ministry of Public Security's backing, they've set a goal of promotion to the V-League. But the biggest question isn't whether they have enough money — it's whether they have enough nerve to overcome themselves. The context of this story isn't just a club wanting promotion. This is a comprehensive restructuring. PVF-CAND, the renowned youth academy, has been transferred to become Hưng Yên FC. CAND will focus all resources on the first team, while Hưng Yên handles youth development. This is a bold decision, a classic 'balance sheet clearing' move I've seen in Europe. But what catches my attention more is the squad framework that coach Nguyễn Đức Thắng possesses. Look at these names: Nguyễn Đình Triệu, a goalkeeper who has worn the national team jersey, a solid anchor that few First Division clubs possess. Then Lê Viktor, a Vietnamese-Czech striker with European football experience, along with Minh Vương and Thanh Nhàn — players rich in battle experience. Đức Thắng, who led Viettel to the 2026 V-League title with the league's best defense, is building a team in his philosophy: discipline, organization, and especially efficiency in set pieces. This isn't a team playing expansive football; this is a machine designed to win at all costs. But here's where I see a gap in the consensus. People say CAND is the 'PSG of the First Division,' a financial giant that can't be stopped. I disagree. The truth is, a state-backed club can easily buy victories, but it can't buy the spirit of a collective. With enormous expectations from Minister Lương Tam Quang, with pressure from the media, and with skepticism from neutral fans — who might view this as a club 'buying promotion' — CAND faces a psychological challenge bigger than any opponent on the pitch. I could be wrong here. Maybe Đức Thắng will turn this club into a perfect winning machine, where veterans like Triệu will ignite the young players and create a united collective. But I've seen too many clubs with massive budgets collapse due to lack of dressing-room cohesion. The difference between a team of stars and a great team is this: stars play for themselves, but great teams play for each other. And when the pressure from the Ministry weighs heavy on their shoulders, I wonder if these players have enough nerve to play for each other, or if they'll just play for their own shadows. The opening match against Long An at home on September 11 will be a test not just of professionalism, but of nerve. I predict CAND will be promoted, but not easily. They'll face difficult matches, moments of doubt, and times when only the veterans' experience will see them through. Storms may stop, the ball may roll slowly, but we're still here. And I'll be here, watching, analyzing, and waiting to see if CAND can turn ambition into reality, or if they'll become another lesson in wasted potential.