Round of 16 National Cup: Khatoco Khanh Hoa to receive Bac Ninh

Khatoco Khanh Hoa is scheduled to receive Bac Ninh at 19-8 Nha Trang Stadum on November 15 for the start of their National Cup round of 16. Although the hosts have been performing good form, their probability of making it through to the quarter-finals is expected not be high.

This is not to say that Khatoco Khanh Hoa are being underestimated compared to Bac Ninh. On the contrary, in the early stage of this year's V League 2 season, along with title contender Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, Khatoco Khanh Hoa are regarded as having one of the most impressive run of form. Coach Tran Trong Binh's team currently sit second in the league table and have an unbeaten streak of 5 matches, both home and away, after 7 rounds. Psychologically, Khatoco Khanh Hoa have a significant advantage over Bac Ninh, as they did not have to play the qualifying round due to the dissolution of Hoa Binh FC. Furthermore, Khatoco Khanh Hoa will enjoy a home advantage in the upcoming National Cup round of 16. However, regarding overall strength, ambition and financial resources, the hosts are slightly disadvantaged.

Match between Khatoco Khanh Hoa and Bac Ninh in round 2, V.League 2 (Source: VPF)

Khatoco Khanh Hoa and Bac Ninh met in V.League 2 at Bac Ninh's Viet Yen stadium, a match Khatoco Khanh Hoa lost 0-1. This is currently the Khatoco Khanh Hoa’s sole loss in the league this season. Due to tight budgets, the football clubs representing Khanh Hoa in both V.League 1 and V.League 2 haven’t set target to gain good results in the financially costly National Cup. Meanwhile, under the training of Coach Paulo Foiani, Bac Ninh have been invested well and set an ambitious goal in the National Cup, and even setting sights on securing promotion to V.League 1. Although being a newly promoted side, Bac Ninh have had an good start in V.League 2 this year, placing among top 5 teams. In September, they had an away win over Van Hien University in the National Cup qualifiers to advance to the next round. These achievements are expected to be momentum for Van Hien to overcome Khatoco Khanh Hoa in the upcoming match in round of 16.

The 2025-2026 National Cup round of 16 takes place from November 15, 2025 to January 28, 2026, featuring 16 teams including 5 V.League 2 teams and 11 V.League 1 teams, forming 8 pairings. The earliest match is the clash between 2 V.League 2 teams Khatoco Khanh Hoa and Bac Ninh (on November 15), and the latest match will be PVF-CAND against Hoang Anh Gia Lai (on January 28). Among the 5 V.League 2 teams competing in the round of 16, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai and Bac Ninh are the two favorites to advance to the next round.

A.N
Translated by H.N