Coach Viet Thang reassures Cong Phuong after he suffers a ligament injury.

Coach Viet Thang affirmed that captain Cong Phuong's absence for the past six rounds was due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained during pre-season training, and there was absolutely no conflict between the two. The injury did not require surgery, and Cong Phuong has returned to training with the rest of the team. The coaching staff plans to have him return only after the SEA Games 33 break, around the end of January 2026.

Cong Phuong is absent due to injury, there is no conflict.

Following rumors on social media about a disagreement between the captain and the coach, the Đồng Nai club's strategist officially denied the claims. He stated that the sole reason the 1995-born striker was not playing was an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. This information was released during the press conference after the 4-2 comeback victory against Thanh Niên TP HCM.

"Without Cong Phuong, I have to rotate Tu Nhan, a non-forward player, to play out of position. Or use Minh Vuong, a central midfielder, to fill the gap," Coach Viet Thang shared, showing that the professional void left by Cong Phuong is very large.

Tactical impact: position rotation, strengthening the attack.

Pushing Tu Nhan to play further forward and using Minh Vuong to fill in as an attacker shows that Dong Nai had to make significant personnel adjustments in their attack. This is a temporary solution when the main striker is absent, forcing the team to find ways to maintain goal output through unusual personnel structures and accepting players playing out of their natural positions.

In that context, Coach Viet Thang's statement emphasizes Cong Phuong's importance in the current system: he is a link that optimizes the connection between the lines, while also creating a stable destination for attacking moves.

The milestone came from the 4-2 victory against Thanh Nien TP HCM.

The 4-2 comeback victory provided the foundation for coach Viet Thang to reassure fans. Despite a makeshift squad, Dong Nai still had the ability to turn the tide, partly due to personnel adjustments aimed at filling the void left by Cong Phuong.

Recovery roadmap: careful and clear

According to coach Viet Thang, Cong Phuong's injury does not require surgery. The striker has returned to training with the whole team, but the coaching staff prioritizes safety: he will only return to playing when he is 100% fit. The expected timeframe is after the SEA Games 33 break, at the end of January 2026.

A cautious approach helps limit the risk of recurrence while also allowing Cong Phuong to sustainably regain his match fitness.

Dong Nai amidst injury crisis and the First Division race.

Despite the absence of their captain and 14 players sidelined due to injury, Dong Nai maintained their six-match unbeaten streak in the First Division. They closely trailed league leaders Khanh Hoa by just one point, demonstrating their adaptability and tactical adjustments from the coaching staff.

With their squad depleted, the return of Cong Phuong after his vacation could be a significant boost, helping Dong Nai improve their finishing and organize attacks in the final third of the pitch.

Coach Viet Thang's message was clear: there was no internal conflict, only an injury. The rest depended on the recovery progress so that Cong Phuong could return at the right time, as the season entered its crucial stage.