Vietnamese footballer wins V-League title and faces relegation in same season

Vietnamese defender Pham Ly Duc experienced a unique season, winning the V-League championship while his loan club, PVF-CAND, was relegated.

Duc, a 2003-born player who developed at the Nutifood academy, initially played for Cong An Ha Noi FC before being loaned to PVF-CAND. He featured in 13 matches for PVF-CAND, scoring one goal, and was part of the Cong An Ha Noi FC squad that secured the V-League title. However, his loan spell meant he was actively playing for the team that ultimately faced relegation.

PVF-CAND lost their play-off match against Bac Ninh on penalties, confirming their return to the First Division for the upcoming season. This means Duc, despite being a V-League champion, will compete in the second tier next year unless Cong An Ha Noi FC recalls him.

Duc's situation mirrors that of Pham Duc Huy, who won the V-League with Nam Dinh but was relegated with Binh Dinh in the same season. Duc's loan contract ends in late June, and he is expected to be brought back to Cong An Ha Noi FC, potentially rejoining their V-League campaign and possibly participating in regional and continental tournaments.