Shortly after the news broke that Thanh Hoa FC would not participate in the AFC Cup for the 2024/2025 season, head coach Popov reacted strongly against the club's leadership decision.

The Bulgarian strategist criticized the decision as “nonsense” and “foolish.”

Interestingly, Popov had just renewed his contract with Thanh Hoa FC for two more seasons after successfully defending the National Cup and securing a spot in the AFC Cup. The new contract came with financial benefits and the opportunity to compete in an international tournament—an ambition for any coach—yet this decision has left him and the fans deeply disappointed.

The withdrawal of Thanh Hoa FC from the AFC Cup is not entirely surprising. However, the current situation is different from 20 years ago when many Vietnamese clubs struggled with finances and lacked professionalism.

Given this difference, the repercussions of Thanh Hoa’s decision are significant for Vietnamese football, including potential point deductions on the club rankings, which could affect the country’s slots in future continental competitions.

Moreover, this withdrawal damages the reputation of Vietnamese football in the eyes of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation), counteracting the efforts made by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and other clubs to improve professionalism and seriousness in international competitions over the past few years.

It’s important to note that in recent years, the AFC has tightened licensing criteria for clubs to promote professionalism and development. As a result, Vietnamese football may face additional challenges in securing spots in continental tournaments.

Commenting on Thanh Hoa's withdrawal, VFF General Secretary Duong Nghiep Khoi stated that “they cannot be forced to participate” due to the club’s busy schedule next season.

However, while this explanation might be acceptable from a professional standpoint, it raises questions about the club’s obligations and responsibilities to the national football scene. There should be stronger sanctions to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

Vietnamese football cannot progress if unprofessional behaviors, such as clubs withdrawing or participating half-heartedly, continue. Therefore, Thanh Hoa’s case should not be treated as a normal occurrence, and strong measures are needed to prevent Vietnam from falling behind.

Duy Nguyen