Thanh Hoa FC Embarks on Season, Aiming for High Position in V-League

At the departure ceremony of Thanh Hoa FC on September 4, 2026, at Thanh Hoa Stadium, hundreds of fans gathered. Coach Mai Xuan Hop, with a confident smile, declared that the team would achieve the highest results in the V-League and National Cup. After the difficult 2026/26 season with only 18 registered players and finishing 11th, Thanh Hoa FC expanded its squad to 31. This strategic move aims to increase rotation capacity and depth. The new leadership change saw businessman Le Xuan Tuong from T-Group and Thang Long Instruments take over as president. This transition brings hope but also challenges. The expansion from 18 to 31 players indicates a more attacking approach. Per V-League rules, clubs register up to 30 players, but Thanh Hoa chose 31 for flexibility. This includes 26 domestic, 4 foreign, and 1 overseas Vietnamese player. This allocation shows a clear attacking focus. Two midfielders and two strikers among the foreigners will shoulder creativity and finishing. The absence of foreign goalkeepers or center-backs means the defense relies entirely on domestic players. This fits HLV Mai Xuan Hop's defensive organization style. However, it poses risks against stronger physical opponents. The lack of foreign center-backs may expose vulnerabilities when facing dominant strikers. Foreign strikers like Monteiro Martins and Guindo will enable quick counter-attacks. A notable detail is the registration of overseas Vietnamese Damoth Thongkhamsavath, a Laos international. Since he represents Laos, he does not count toward the foreign quota. This creative strategy helps fill positions like wide forward without consuming foreign slots. It demonstrates financial acumen for a budget-constrained club. Other foreigners include Abdurakhmanov from Uzbekistan, Lovric Di Mateo, and strikers Monteiro Martins and Guindo from West Africa. These players were scouted from value markets, fitting the club's budget. Abdurakhmanov and Guindo bring affordability. Lovric Di Mateo adds midfield depth. Retaining domestic pillars like goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Diep, defender Vu Tuyen Quang, midfielder Van Thang, forward Xuan Hung, midfielder Tung Han, midfielder Tuan Canh, and midfielder Duc Hoang shows stability from last season's survival with 11 points. The leadership change is crucial. Le Xuan Tuong brings investment potential. The squad expansion is tangible evidence of new capital. However, wage costs will rise significantly with 12 additional domestic players and 4 foreigners. Revenue from sponsorship, matchday, and commercial activities remains unclear. Last season, financial difficulties forced squad cuts. Retaining HLV Mai Xuan Hop through the transition shows trust from the new leadership. But fan pressure for improvement will weigh on the coach. If results falter, the coach could be the first to go. Tactically, the shift from 18 to 31 players signals greater rotation. Last season, HLV Mai Xuan Hop succeeded with limited numbers through defensive pragmatism. Now, a more expansive game is possible. However, gelling the new squad takes time. Missing foreign center-backs could lead to defensive breaches against high-pressing opponents. Foreign strikers in a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 setup will exploit individual quality. The home opener against SHB Da Nang on September 6 is pivotal. SHB Da Nang is mid-table, making it winnable. A win would build momentum. A draw or loss would raise early criticism of the new squad and leadership. Last season's 11th place with 18 players was an overachievement through organization. Now, with a larger squad, Thanh Hoa FC must prove progress. Financially, T-Group's investment is positive but needs monitoring. If sustained, Thanh Hoa FC can stabilize as mid-table. Otherwise, it risks returning to crisis mode. Foreign players from Uzbekistan and West Africa offer value but carry risks. Underperformance could limit mid-season fixes. The home advantage at Thanh Hoa Stadium is key. Provincial support can add 3-5 points. The opener will test this. Overall, Thanh Hoa FC is in transition. The squad expansion and leadership change offer hope. But foreign player quality, financial sustainability, and integration are decisive. The opener against SHB Da Nang will set the tone. A good start could target top 8. Otherwise, mid-table is realistic. Fans need patience. Leadership must manage expectations. HLV Mai Xuan Hop needs to leverage past resilience to build the new team. Highest ambitions are possible if aligned. But financial and quality risks remain. The club needs sustainable growth to avoid past pitfalls.