Vietnamese Sports News 2026: Coach Nguyen Van Hoa Retained for Saigon Port Match

Saigon, October 12, 2026. According to sources from the Capital club's coaching staff, coach Nguyen Van Hoa will remain in charge for the match against Saigon Port on Saturday. The decision was made after a board meeting, with the team without a win in eight matches across all competitions and after a 0-3 home defeat to Hai Phong Football Club. The report said Hoa took charge of Tuesday's training session, indicating the board wanted temporary stability rather than an immediate change on the bench. The decision to keep him is match-specific: the board said the coach and players would be given a chance to turn the situation around, but no specific timeframe was provided. In terms of results, the Capital club has only 7 points from 8 league matches, sits 17th and is one point above the relegation zone. That output is relegation-level and contrasts with its status as a side once seen as a contender for a place in the Cup of Strong Teams. The report gave no detailed statistics on possession, chances or defensive performance, so the deeper tactical causes cannot be assessed. The fixture list is seen as the biggest challenge. The Capital club will face Saigon Port away on Saturday at lunchtime; then a Cup of Strong Teams match against Military Region 7 at home in midweek; and the following weekend they host Duong Sat. Three matches in about eight days, with no easy opponent, make a turnaround harder. The board also faces dual pressure. If the team fails to produce a good result against Saigon Port, pressure to change the coach will rise sharply. Financially, competing in the Cup of Strong Teams while sitting near the relegation zone creates a risk of losing revenue if the club fails to qualify for next season's cup; the compensation cost of a managerial change has not been disclosed. The mid-season reinforcement period could also become expensive if the board is forced into emergency signings. In the dressing room, there has been no statement from the captain or key players. The board's framing suggests responsibility is shared by both the coach and the players rather than placed on one man. Observers assess the Capital club's overall risk as high, because of the results, the fixture list and the temporary nature of the decision to keep the coach.