Dong Nai wins in round 6, Cong Phuong misses his 7th match.
Coach Nguyen Viet Thang confirmed that Cong Phuong has not yet returned to training and will continue to be absent; Dong Nai has 14 injured players, had to push Minh Vuong to play further forward but still won to keep pace with Khacoto Khanh Hoa.
Truong Tuoi Dong Nai secured a victory against Thanh Nien Ho Chi Minh City in Round 6 of the First Division, but the joy was accompanied by worry: Nguyen Cong Phuong continued to miss his seventh consecutive match due to injury, and coach Nguyen Viet Thang admitted the team is facing a wave of injuries with 14 players experiencing problems.
Cong Phuong remains out of the picture: his long absence continues.
Fans were anticipating the return of the former Hoang Anh Gia Lai player after images of him training surfaced, but the striker born in 1995 was not included in the matchday squad. This was the seventh consecutive match that Cong Phuong was unable to play (6 in the First Division, 1 in the National Cup). His official contributions to Truong Tuoi Dong Nai since the beginning of the season remain zero due to injury.
Coach Nguyen Viet Thang provided a brief but clear update on the progress:“For the next match, Cong Phuong won't be able to play or train with the team. I feel very sorry for Cong Phuong. Since the beginning of the season, while preparing for the National Cup, Phuong has contributed 4 goals in training matches.”
Injury crisis and the rotation problem.
The depleted squad has forced the coaching staff to make drastic adjustments. Coach Nguyen Viet Thang said:“Without Cong Phuong, I had to rotate the squad. Minh Vuong isn't a striker, but I had to push him forward. I used central midfielders when Phuong was absent. We had 14 injured players, so we had to rotate positions. Luckily, the team showed desire, listened, and explored their potential. They played in positions that weren't their forte, but they still performed well.”
From a tactical perspective, the lack of a key attacking player like Cong Phuong forced Dong Nai to shift their creative focus. The decision to push Minh Vuong higher up the pitch aimed to secure a central attacking anchor, while adding another central midfielder increased the team's numbers in the midfield to control the tempo and compensate for the gaps in link-up play that Cong Phuong typically covered.
A victory that demonstrates courage and determination.
Overcoming Thanh Nien Ho Chi Minh City amidst a personnel crisis demonstrates the organization and discipline of the Truong Tuoi Dong Nai team. Players forced to play out of position still completed their tasks, thanks to their desire and adherence to instructions, as emphasized by the head coach. This result helps the team continue to chase the top spot held by Khacoto Khanh Hoa, while also strengthening their confidence ahead of the next phase.
The outstanding number
- 7: A series of consecutive matches that Cong Phuong missed (6 First Division matches, 1 National Cup match).
- 14: The number of injury cases in the squad confirmed by coach Nguyen Viet Thang.
- 4: Goals scored by Cong Phuong in training matches while preparing for the National Cup.
Immediate impact
The head coach confirmed that Cong Phuong "hasn't trained with the team" and "isn't ready to play" in the next match, meaning Truong Tuoi Dong Nai will continue to rely on rotation and positional adjustments. In the race to catch up with Khacoto Khanh Hoa, maintaining positive results during this period of limited personnel will be crucial for the team's points and morale.
Statement by Coach Nguyen Viet Thang
“For the next match, Cong Phuong won't be able to play or train with the team. I feel very sorry for Cong Phuong. Since the beginning of the season, while preparing for the National Cup, Phuong has contributed 4 goals in training matches.”
“Without Cong Phuong, I had to rotate the squad. Minh Vuong isn't a striker, but I had to push him forward. I used central midfielders when Phuong was absent. We had 14 injured players, so we had to rotate positions. Luckily, the team showed desire, listened, and explored their potential. They played in positions that weren't their forte, but they still performed well.”
Tactical perspective: Maintain the tempo, wait for the attacking threat to return.
In the absence of a key creative player, Dong Nai's priority is to maintain the team's structure and tempo. Strengthening the midfield helps stabilize transitions and reduce the risk of losing possession in sensitive areas. With Cong Phuong's return, his role as a "linking point" in the attack could be restored, but for now, rotation and maximizing the roles of players playing out of position remain key.
