Seoul, 5 Nov 2026 – The Cong Viettel’s struggles continued with a 3-0 defeat away to FC Seoul in the AFC Champions League Two on November 4, extending their winless streak to nine matches across all competitions. New head coach Guilherme Almeida now faces the difficult task of restoring confidence and stability to a team showing few signs of recovery.
The trip to South Korea was expected to mark a fresh beginning for The Cong Viettel following the departure of Bulgarian coach Velizar Popov. However, Almeida’s first match in charge ended in another disappointing result, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the Brazilian tactician. Although the Vietnamese side showed improvements in their defensive organisation compared with their previous 5-0 defeat to the same opponents, they were unable to maintain their discipline throughout the contest.
Having conceded five goals against FC Seoul in the reverse fixture at Hang Day Stadium, The Cong Viettel adopted a more cautious approach in South Korea. Almeida instructed his players to defend deeper, maintain a compact formation and limit the space available to the home side. The strategy proved effective for much of the match, with the visitors demonstrating greater defensive awareness and frustrating Seoul’s attacking efforts. However, their resistance eventually collapsed when Moon Seon-min opened the scoring in the 68th minute. Further goals in the 79th and 90th minutes sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory for the South Korean club.
Speaking after the match, Almeida acknowledged that his players had performed with determination but failed to sustain their concentration during the closing stages. “We played with great determination and discipline for 70 minutes. However, after that, we lost concentration slightly, and the match began to go against us,” the Brazilian coach admitted. His assessment reflected one of The Cong Viettel’s recurring weaknesses this season: the inability to maintain defensive organisation and concentration over the full 90 minutes, particularly when opponents increase the pressure.
The statistics underline the club’s disappointing continental campaign. After four AFC Champions League Two group-stage matches, The Cong Viettel have collected just one point, scored only once and conceded 10 goals. Their two encounters with FC Seoul alone have resulted in eight unanswered goals, exposing the significant gap between the Vietnamese representatives and their South Korean opponents. With qualification hopes fading, the club must also confront the possibility of shifting its attention towards domestic competition.
The situation in V.League 1 has been equally concerning. Since opening the 2026/27 season with a 2-0 victory over Dong Nai, The Cong Viettel have struggled to secure positive results despite possessing a squad featuring experienced players and promising young talents. Poor coordination between different areas of the pitch, limited attacking efficiency and repeated defensive lapses have prevented the team from finding consistency. These problems eventually contributed to the club’s decision to part ways with Popov following a 3-1 defeat to Nam Dinh.
Almeida’s appointment offers continuity because of his previous role as an assistant coach at The Cong Viettel. Having worked with the squad since July 2024, he already understands the players’ abilities, the club’s internal structure and the tactical issues that need attention. Nevertheless, familiarity also brings greater expectations. Supporters are unlikely to be satisfied with minor tactical adjustments unless they produce meaningful improvements in performances and results.
One of Almeida’s biggest challenges will be rebuilding confidence within a squad that has endured repeated setbacks. Players struggling with confidence often become more cautious in possession, hesitate when making attacking decisions and lose composure under pressure. Restoring the influence of experienced senior players, improving the contribution of foreign signings and creating stronger connections between defence, midfield and attack will be essential if The Cong Viettel are to reverse their decline.
The upcoming home fixture against Thanh Hoa on November 8 therefore carries particular importance. A victory would end the club’s prolonged winless run, ease the pressure surrounding the coaching staff and provide a much-needed psychological boost ahead of the next phase of the domestic season. Another disappointing result, however, would deepen concerns about whether the coaching change can deliver the immediate improvement the club desperately needs.
The Cong Viettel previously established their reputation through disciplined defending, collective determination and consistent tactical organisation. Those qualities have been largely absent during the opening months of the 2026/27 campaign. For Almeida, the priority is no longer simply to introduce a different playing style but to rebuild the foundations that once made the team competitive. His first match demonstrated that defensive improvements are possible, but the real test will be whether he can turn those adjustments into victories before the club’s difficult season deteriorates further.
VSN/RPT
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