Hanoi, 28 Oct 2026 – The Cong Viettel suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to FC Seoul in their third AFC Champions League Two 2026/27 group-stage match, leaving the Vietnamese side bottom of the standings with just one point from three games and extending their winless run across all competitions to six matches.
The result has intensified the pressure on head coach Velizar Popov, whose team are enduring one of their most difficult periods since returning to V.League 1 in 2019.
The Cong Viettel currently sit 12th in the domestic league and have struggled to reproduce the performances expected of a club competing on both domestic and continental fronts.
Their latest opponents, FC Seoul, entered the encounter having already secured the K-League title with five matches to spare. The South Korean champions had previously lost to Melbourne and Persib Bandung in the continental competition, having fielded younger squads while prioritising their domestic campaign.
With the league title secured, Seoul approached the meeting with The Cong Viettel at full strength, determined to revive their hopes of reaching the AFC Champions League Two round of 16.
The difference in quality was immediately apparent.
Seoul combined precise short passing with rapid attacking transitions, repeatedly exploiting gaps in Viettel’s defensive structure. Their ability to accelerate attacks in the final third left the visitors struggling to contain their movement.
The hosts opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Moon Seon-min, a former teammate of Vietnamese forward Nguyen Cong Phuong at Incheon United, raced onto a long pass and produced a delicate finish over goalkeeper Van Viet.
Seoul doubled their advantage in the 21st minute. After controlling a cross from the right with his chest, Anderson Oliveira unleashed a powerful strike from approximately 15 metres, leaving Van Viet with no chance.
Eight minutes later, the South Korean champions struck again. Hwang Do-yun timed his movement perfectly to meet a headed pass from the left side of the penalty area before finishing past the Vietnamese goalkeeper.
Oliveira’s influence on the left flank proved particularly damaging, with Seoul repeatedly directing their attacks through the Brazilian forward.
The Cong Viettel’s defensive problems continued in the 34th minute when Cho Young-wook converted a low cross with a clinical first-time finish, extending the hosts’ lead to 4-0.
The four-goal halftime deficit effectively ended the contest.
Seoul reduced their intensity after the break but remained comfortably in control. Their fifth goal arrived in the 54th minute following another flowing passing move.
Leonardo Ruiz completed the combination with a close-range finish, taking advantage of hesitant defending to make it 5-0.
The Cong Viettel were unable to respond despite the hosts easing their attacking pressure.
In the 74th minute, Seoul were reduced to ten men when Yazan received a second yellow card. However, the numerical advantage did little to change the balance of the match.
Popov’s players attempted to create opportunities during the closing stages but struggled to break down a well-organised Seoul side.
The final whistle confirmed a humiliating five-goal defeat and raised further questions about Viettel’s defensive organisation, tactical approach and confidence.
With one point from three group-stage matches, The Cong Viettel have dropped to the bottom of their group, leaving their hopes of reaching the knockout stage in serious jeopardy.
The result also extends their winless sequence to six matches across all competitions, increasing scrutiny of Popov’s leadership as the club struggles to regain stability.
Unlike previous narrow defeats, the heavy loss in South Korea exposed a considerable gap in organisation, attacking efficiency and defensive discipline.
The Cong Viettel now face a demanding schedule, with their next two continental fixtures taking place away against Seoul and Melbourne.
Both encounters will require a significant improvement if the Vietnamese side are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
For Popov and The Cong Viettel, the immediate priority is to restore confidence and defensive stability before a difficult season develops into an even deeper crisis.
VSN/RPT
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