Former SLNA midfielder seeks opportunity to play in First Division team

At the end of 2018, after ending his contract with SLNA, Dau Thanh Phong officially became a player of Hai Phong, with a 2-year contract. This is the team where the midfielder born in 1993 played on loan in the second half of the 2015 season and the second half of the 2018 season.

Just like in Nghe An football team,Dau Thanh Phongnot appreciated by the Hai Phong coaching staff. According to statistics, the total time on the field of the former SLNA midfielder in V.League 2019 and phase 1V.League 2020only 357 minutes. A very modest number for a player at the prime of his career.

Things became even more difficult for Dau Thanh Phong when Hai Phong got the service of Mac Hong Quan from neighboring team Than Quang Ninh. The appearance of Mac Hong Quan at Lach Tray Stadium made Dau Thanh Phong's chance to play in the starting lineup in phase 2 of V.League 2020 more fragile than ever.

Dau Thanh Phong (red shirt) in Hai Phong's shirt. Photo: Pham Ky Luat

Therefore, the player from Tan Ky (Nghe An) had to accept to terminate his contract with Hai Phong to seek opportunities at a new team. And the First Division team Binh Dinh - a strong candidate for promotion to V.League 2021 is the next destination for the 27-year-old player.

Moved to join the team ofCoach Nguyen Duc Thang, Dau Thanh Phong's goal is nothing more than to regularly play on the field. It is known that the contract between Quy Nhon Stadium and Dau Thanh Phong will only last until the end of this year's season.

In the first 3 matches for Binh Dinh, Dau Thanh Phong was used by coach Nguyen Duc Thang (1 start, 2 substitute appearances). However, the opportunity to be in the starting lineup for the player born in 1993 is not really clear, because the competition among central midfielders in Binh Dinh is extremely fierce.

Binh Dinh is currently ranked 3rd in the 2020 First Division. Photo: VPF

Observing Binh Dinh's past matches, the two central midfielder positions are being prioritized for Bui Van Hieu and Nguyen Huu Dinh. Objectively speaking, the above mentioned duo are doing their job very well. Currently, with his professional level and rich experience, Bui Van Hieu is the captain of the Quy Nhon home team.

Through that, it can be seen that Dau Thanh Phong has many challenges ahead. To win the trust of coach Nguyen Duc Thang, the former SLNA and Hai Phong midfielder must make more efforts. Otherwise, Dau Thanh Phong will have to continue to be friends with the bench, which has happened in the past.