Brian Jeffrey
The possibility of Long An FC not participating in the 2024/2025 First Division season has disappointed Vietnamese football fans. The club faces financial challenges, leading to a potential withdrawal from the upcoming season.
Long An FC, despite its success in the past, including dominating the V-League, now grapples with budget imbalances that prompted the request to return the team to the Long An Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Another noteworthy development was HAGL FC, backed by LPBank, reverting to its original name after a short stint under the sponsorship. This practice of name changes for financial reasons is common in Vietnamese football to secure sponsorships and financial stability.
However, the dilemma arises when historical club names like HAGL are overshadowed by financial considerations, raising questions about the balance between tradition and financial viability.
After years of striving to professionalize, Vietnamese football faces a critical juncture with clubs like Long An and HAGL encountering challenges despite significant investments from their owners. The struggles of these clubs highlight the difficulty of achieving financial sustainability and long-term success.
Sponsors like Doan Nguyen Duc of HAGL FC and Vo Quoc Thang of Long An FC, known for their dedication and financial support, have faced hurdles in making their clubs self-sufficient. The inherent financial instability of clubs relying solely on external funding poses a barrier to true professionalism in Vietnamese football.
Despite efforts to enhance professionalism, Vietnamese football has seen numerous clubs dissolve, withdraw, or exit leagues over the past two decades, emphasizing the ongoing struggle to establish a sustainable professional football ecosystem.
