Da Nang tied with SLNA, coach Le Duc Tuan talked about Vadim Nguyen
Garcia put SLNA ahead in the 80th minute, Kim Dong Su equalized in injury time to help Da Nang avoid defeat; Coach Le Duc Tuan told Vadim to improve his defense.
Kim Dong Su equalized in injury time to help Da Nang avoid a defeat at home to SLNA on the evening of November 2, after Garcia opened the scoring in the 80th minute. This was Da Nang's first unbeaten home game since the start of the 2025/26 season, a point with clear spiritual value in the context of them dropping points many times in the final minutes before that, according to the coach.
Key developments and final performance
The stalemate lasted for almost the entire 90 minutes, before Garcia took advantage of the opportunity to put SLNA ahead in the 80th minute. The psychological momentum was on the visitors' side, but Da Nang did not collapse. As the clock ticked down to extra time, Kim Dong Su fired a decisive shot, saving 1 point for the home team.
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 80 | Garcia scored to put SLNA ahead |
| Extra time | Kim Dong Su equalized for Da Nang |
The final moments of the match not only decided the score but also reflected the improvement in Da Nang's character: from often losing in the last minute, they persevered and received worthy rewards.
Tactical perspective: balance of attack and defense
In a match where there are clearly few opportunities, the value of discipline and concentration is pushed to the top. Speaking after the match, coach Le Duc Tuan emphasized the requirement for his players: not only knowing how to score goals but also supporting each other and controlling the match. This message shows that the coaching staff's priority is to balance the ability to create breakthroughs and the responsibility to defend - the foundation for the team to limit late goals, which was a weakness in the past.
Coach Le Duc Tuan and message to Vadim Nguyen
When asked about Vietnamese-American midfielder Vadim Nguyen, coach Le Duc Tuan frankly assessed his potential and what needs to be improved: “Vadim has great potential and ability to create breakthroughs, but he needs to improve more, especially in defense. I want my players to not only know how to score goals, but also know how to support teammates and control the game.”
In terms of team building, the coach clearly stated the criteria for selecting personnel: “Any coach wants to have more good players, but the important thing is that they must be suitable for the playing style and bring efficiency. If the new players are not better than the current players, we will continue to put our trust in the existing players.”
Post-match statement: perseverance is rewarded
Overall assessment of the performance, the coach shared: “It has been a long time since Da Nang had a draw at home. This was a very difficult match because both teams were very eager to win.” He added: “We have lost many times in the last minute, but today the players kept their fighting spirit. The equalizer in extra time was a worthy reward for their efforts to not give up.”
Impact on the relegation race
With 1 point, Da Nang temporarily escaped the bottom group. However, the relegation race became crowded when all 5 teams PVF-CAND, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, HAGL and SLNA have 7 points. In the context of the gap being leveled, each point - especially home matches - has great significance in the long-term battle.
Notable numbers
- Garcia opened the score for SLNA in the 80th minute.
- Kim Dong Su equalized for Da Nang in extra time.
- Da Nang have their first unbeaten home match of the 2025/26 season.
- Relegation race: PVF-CAND, Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, HAGL and SLNA all have 7 points.
The highlight of the match was Da Nang’s ability to maintain intensity and spirit until the end. From here, the need to improve the defensive quality of the attacking players – as a message sent to Vadim Nguyen – could be the key to helping the team convert explosive moments into more stable results in the coming period.
