CAND FC Launch: 'Warriors' Carrying a Historic Mission

On the morning of September 3, 2026, in Hanoi, a special event took place in a solemn and emotional atmosphere. The People's Public Security Football Club (CAND FC) held its official send-off ceremony, marking the beginning of its campaign to conquer a promotion ticket to the LPBank V.League 2027. This event was not merely a team launch ceremony, but also a powerful declaration of ambition, of methodical investment, and of a mission considered a "historic milestone" for the People's Public Security force. The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Public Security, a detail that shows the special political backing and stature given to the team. In his speech, the Minister emphasized that the establishment and investment in CAND FC is a "historic milestone," demonstrating the deep concern of the Party, State, and Ministry of Public Security for the development of national sports. He also expressed his expectation that the team will compete with the spirit of the "three bests" - exemplary People's Public Security soldiers, carrying the bravery, intelligence, and discipline of a soldier. This speech created an atmosphere full of pressure but also full of motivation for the whole team. CAND FC is not a strange name to Vietnamese football fans. Previously, the team competed in the V.League but was relegated. This return has been meticulously prepared with an almost completely rebuilt squad. The club president, in his speech at the ceremony, declared a clear goal: to win the 2026/27 National First Division championship to earn promotion. This statement is not just an aspiration but also a commitment, an affirmation of the financial potential and serious investment of the Public Security team. The most notable highlight of the send-off ceremony was the debut of six high-quality new signings, names that heated up the summer transfer market. They are experienced midfielder Minh Vuong, solid defender Dinh Trieu, striker of Vietnamese heritage Viktor Le, along with Do Phi Long, Thanh Nhan, and Minh Phuc. The appearance of these players, who have already established their names at other clubs, shows the great ambition of the CAND FC leadership. They not only want to be promoted but also want to build a squad capable of competing immediately in the V.League after gaining promotion. Notably, the name Viktor Le attracted attention because he is a Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) player, a trend that is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnamese football, helping teams strengthen their squad quality without occupying foreign player slots. Head coach Nguyen Duc Thang, a seasoned strategist, made cautious but equally determined statements. He said the whole team has undergone an active training process, with training trips and a series of friendly matches to improve fitness, build playing style, and test the squad. Coach Nguyen Duc Thang emphasized that building a united, cohesive team is the top priority before considering complex tactical issues. He also highly appreciated the training spirit of his students and expressed confidence in the quick integration of the new signings. However, beneath that layer of cautious language, one can still feel the immense pressure weighing on the shoulders of this captain. According to information from the tournament organizers, the 2026/27 National First Division season will officially kick off on September 11, 2026. Thus, there are only exactly 8 days between the send-off ceremony and the first match. This is an extremely short period, posing significant challenges in terms of fitness, tactics, and psychology for the whole team. In the opening match, CAND FC will have home advantage when hosting Long An, an opponent considered not too strong but not easy either. A victory in the opening match would create a huge mental boost, but an unfavorable result could immediately spark waves of criticism and create tremendous pressure on the whole team. The heavy investment of CAND FC is clearly shown through the recruitment of many quality players at once. This shows that the Public Security team is pursuing a strategy of "using financial strength to create a difference." They are not following the path of slowly building a playing style but choosing to buy excellent individuals to quickly create a squad with quality superior to the general level of the First Division. This approach can bring immediate results, but it also carries risks regarding cohesion and the tactical operation of the whole team. Football is not just the sum of good individuals, but also the connection and understanding between positions on the field. One of the important factors creating the strength of CAND FC is the backing from the Ministry of Public Security. This is an advantage that no other team in the First Division has. The presence of the Minister at the send-off ceremony is not only a moral encouragement but also a strong political message. It shows that the team's success is not just a sporting issue but also related to the prestige and image of the People's Public Security force. Therefore, the performance pressure on CAND FC is enormous. If the team does not perform well, it would not only be a professional failure but could also be seen as a failure of prestige for a large organization. Looking at the tournament structure, the 2026/27 National First Division season will have 2 promotion slots to the V.League. This means CAND FC does not necessarily have to win the championship; just finishing in the top 2 would complete their goal. However, with the ambitious declaration of the leadership, merely finishing second could still be considered underachievement. This excessively high expectation itself can create heavy psychological pressure, affecting the confidence and performance of the players at crucial moments. Tactically, there is currently no specific information about how CAND FC will operate its playing style. Coach Nguyen Duc Thang has only mentioned fitness training and squad building, without revealing any specific tactical formation or playing philosophy. This could be a deliberate attempt to keep secrets from opponents, or it could be because the team is still in the process of testing and perfecting. With a squad of many new signings, finding a tactical system suitable for the abilities of each player is a difficult problem, requiring time and patience. However, with the tight time frame before the season, this could be a significant challenge for the coaching staff. Another notable point is the presence of Viktor Le in the CAND FC squad. The recruitment of Viet Kieu players is becoming a popular trend at Vietnamese clubs, especially those with strong financial potential. Viet Kieu players often have good physiques, modern tactical thinking, and international playing experience, helping to improve squad quality without occupying foreign player slots. The presence of Viktor Le promises to bring a fresh breeze to CAND FC's attack, but also raises questions about his ability to integrate into the domestic football environment and adapt to the playing style of his new teammates. Besides the advantages, CAND FC also faces many difficulties and challenges. First is the problem of too short a preparation time. The fact that the team was introduced and launched only 8 days before the season started shows that the process of gathering and assembling the squad was very rushed. This can lead to a lack of cohesion between players, especially the new signings with the old players. Second, the pressure from the excessive expectations of the public and leadership can affect the players' mentality. Third, playing with a dense schedule in a long season can cause fitness problems and injuries, especially for players who have already been stretched in the previous season. Looking back at the history of Vietnamese football, not a few teams have failed despite spending a lot of money on players. The success of a team comes not only from having stars but also from unity, fighting spirit, and a sustainable development strategy. CAND FC is walking a path that many other teams have taken, and they need to learn lessons from the failures of previous teams to avoid repeating the same mistakes. Will the heavy investment and political backing be enough to lead CAND FC to success? Or will they become an expensive lesson about unsustainable investment in football? The answer will gradually be revealed through each round of the 2026/27 National First Division season. The first match against Long An at home will be an important test, not only professionally but also mentally. A victory will boost confidence and create momentum for the next matches. Conversely, an unfavorable result could push the team into a difficult position, making the pressure even heavier. Vietnamese football fans are very curious to see how the Public Security team will perform this season. Can they realize their ambition, or will they witness a great disappointment? Only time can answer this question. The return of CAND FC in the First Division this year is not just the story of this team alone. It is also a signal of change in the Vietnamese football landscape, as more and more teams are being heavily invested in by corporations, industries, and localities. This creates fiercer competition, requiring teams to have thorough preparation and proper development strategies. The appearance of a financially strong team like CAND FC will increase the attractiveness of the tournament, but it can also create an imbalance in strength between teams. Whether this is good for the long-term development of Vietnamese football remains an open question. In that context, the role of fans is extremely important. The enthusiastic support of the audience will be a great spiritual motivation for CAND FC players to overcome difficulties. Conversely, excessive criticism and ridicule can create negative pressure, affecting the team's performance mentality. Fans need to be patient and create the best conditions for the team to develop. Football is a highly volatile sport, and success or failure cannot be judged by just a few matches. What matters is that the team needs to have stability and a long-term vision. With what has been shown, CAND FC is proving to be a team with great ambition and enough potential to realize that ambition. However, the road to success is never easy. They will have to face many difficulties, challenges, and invisible pressures from the very expectations of everyone. Will they have enough courage to overcome all and write their own fairy tale? The answer lies within themselves, in the effort, determination, and unity of the whole team. And Vietnamese football fans will follow their every step on the path to conquering the promotion dream. The 2026/27 National First Division season promises to be a dramatic and exciting season with the participation of CAND FC. The Public Security team not only brings a fresh breeze to the tournament but also creates a thrilling promotion race. Can they realize their set goals? Let's wait and see their performance on the field. And whatever the result, their investment and effort deserve recognition. Vietnamese football is developing day by day, and the appearance of strong teams like CAND FC is clear evidence of that development.