Can Tho - The Lonely "Substitute"

Of the four, only Thanh Cong and Quang Bao directly lead the team, Quang Truong is registered as the technical director of Hai Phong, and Huu Thang is the Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City FC.

While Thanh Cong joined Saigon FC at the beginning of the season and was promoted to head coach from round 17, Bao arrived in Can Tho when the V-League 2018 had only 6 rounds left.

Difficult mission

Coach Vu Quang Bao returned to Can Tho when the plan to use a "HAGL 2.0 version" this season, devised by Tran Minh Tam - Chairman of XSKT Can Tho Club, fell through.

Initially, the leaders of Can Tho Lottery hoped that with the new head coach Dinh Hong Vinh, a player who had recently joined from Pleiku, the team would implement a technical style of play similar to HAGL to attract spectators to the stadium.

Coach Quang Bao is "alone" in the relegation battle. Photo: Internet

However, when senior players like Quang Tình, Vũ Anh Tuấn, Út Cường, and Phương Tâm failed to live up to the coaching staff's expectations, and central midfielder Hữu Dũng was recalled early by FLC Thanh Hóa, XSKT Cần Thơ Club could only manage draws and losses.

The interim manager, CEO Nguyen Thanh Danh, only sat in the head coach's chair for one match... mainly waiting for the club's leadership to negotiate with Mr. Bao about taking over the team for the remaining six matches.

Mr. Bao "Kham" joined his former team, Can Tho, when foreign player Patiyo was suspended, his favorite pupil Vu Anh Tuan moved to play for Ho Chi Minh City, transfer fees were not paid on time, and up to 10 players went on strike and refused to train.

The worries about food, clothing, and money weigh heavily on the leadership of this impoverished football team from the Mekong Delta. Beginning its downward spiral from the 13th round, XSKT Can Tho found itself at the bottom of the table by the 20th round, and for three consecutive rounds, the team from the Western region failed to improve its position.

Mr. Bao's plan to rescue Can Tho Lottery is to try to catch up with Nam Dinh, hoping to turn the tide against their rivals from Nam Dinh in the final match of the season to secure 13th place and qualify for the play-offs. He considers the chances 50/50 and is willing to gamble his honor on this difficult and risky "mission".

Bad luck follows

It seemed as though XSKT Can Tho would escape the bottom of the table when coach Bao returned to Tam Ky to face Quang Nam, a team he had previously managed. Patiyo's suspension was reduced, allowing him to play, and Wander Luiz scored an early goal, but ultimately, they conceded three points to Warley's late brace. Meanwhile, their rivals Nam Dinh secured a point away at Thanh Hoa in injury time.

In this round, despite having a 10-minute advantage, the slippery pitch due to rain prevented Quang Tình and the XSKT Can Tho players from equalizing the early goal scored by Tiến Linh of B.Binh Duong. Meanwhile, Pereira Diogo Junior of Nam Dinh scored a penalty at Lạch Tray Stadium in the 90th minute, increasing their lead to 3 points.

Quang Tình is currently a key player for XSKT Can Tho, struggling to earn points. Photo: Internet

Coach Bao has reached the halfway point with three consecutive losses against SHB Da Nang, Quang Nam, and most recently, B. Binh Duong. Their next opponents are Hai Phong (home), Hanoi (away), and the visiting team Nam Dinh, while Coach Van Sy and his players have the advantage of two home games against HAGL and B. Binh Duong before heading to Can Tho.

Psychologically, after securing a crucial point in the final minutes of the match, the Nam Dinh players are feeling much more confident.

If they fail to maintain a 3-point lead over direct rival Nam Dinh before the "relegation battle," the V-League will once again have to say goodbye to the team from the Mekong Delta.

Since the first leg at Thien Truong Stadium ended in a 0-0 draw, if the point difference is only 3 points, there is still hope for Coach Bao and his players, although not much. If the two teams are tied on points, the head-to-head record will be considered first, and if Can Tho wins this match, they will be ranked higher.

After Dong Nai, Dong Thap and Long An have successively left the V-League, and now Can Tho is facing a major challenge. But looking at how Nam Dinh and XSKT Can Tho are slowly approaching the finish line, one can see that Mr. Bao is "alone".