Thanh Niên TP.HCM relegated after heavy 8-0 loss to Bắc Ninh

Thanh Niên TP.HCM will play in the second tier next season after suffering a crushing 8-0 defeat to Bắc Ninh, confirming their relegation from the National First Division with two games left in the 2025-2026 campaign.

The match, held at Bắc Ninh's home ground, saw the hosts field their strongest lineup in pursuit of a win to maintain their playoff position for promotion to the V-League. They took an early lead through Ngân Văn Đại just six minutes into the game. With their 17-year-old goalkeeper, Trần Mai Gia Phúc, starting, Thanh Niên TP.HCM appeared to collapse after the initial goal, conceding heavily throughout the following hour.

Bắc Ninh's foreign player, Bruno Catanhede, was instrumental in the rout, scoring four consecutive goals in the 22nd, 24th, 51st, and 64th minutes. Vũ Xuân Tín completed the demolition with a hat-trick, scoring in the 78th, 82nd, and 90th minutes. This 8-0 scoreline is reportedly the largest margin of victory seen in the National First Division in many seasons.

The three points earned from this match place Bắc Ninh second in the league standings with 42 points, securing a spot in the V-League promotion playoffs. While theoretically still in contention for the direct promotion spot, they trail leaders Trường Tươi Đồng Nai by five points with only two rounds remaining, making a championship win unlikely. For the young Thanh Niên TP.HCM team, this season concludes with a disappointing 7 points from 20 matches, confirming their early relegation.