Nguyen Ngoc My plays through pain: Thanh Hoa's effort to overcome difficulties amidst a personnel crisis.

The narrow 0-1 defeat against The Cong Viettel in Round 18 of the V.League 2025/26 was not simply a loss in terms of points, but also exposed a serious personnel crisis at Thanh Hoa FC. The most notable aspect of this defeat was the absence of Nguyen Ngoc My, the young star of the Vietnam U23 team, who was forced to play despite not being in optimal physical condition.

Coach Mai Xuan Hop's difficult problem

In the last two matches, Ngoc My's influence has been significantly limited as he has been unable to feature in the starting lineup. In the match against The Cong Viettel, the striker born in 2004 was only brought on from the bench in the latter half of the second half. Despite playing with the highest determination, his physical condition was depleted by injury, preventing this star player from helping his team turn the tide in a high-pressure match.

Explaining this somewhat risky personnel decision, coach Mai Xuan Hop shared his concerns:"Ngoc My is currently injured. Thanh Hoa is facing a severe personnel shortage but still has to use My. Throughout the three weeks leading up to this crucial stage, he has been almost unable to train."

Having to play while not fully recovered not only affected Ngoc My's individual performance but also highlighted the lack of quality alternatives in the Thanh Hoa team's attack. The coaching staff had to carefully calculate every minute of play to suit his actual physical condition, while hoping that My's presence would provide a morale boost for the entire team.

Difficulties abound both behind the scenes and on the pitch.

Ngoc My's injury concerns are just one part of the bleak picture Thanh Hoa is facing. Besides the pressure of achieving top rankings, the team is also struggling with financial difficulties. This directly impacts the players' morale and stability during this crucial stage of the season.

Coach Mai Xuan Hop emphasized the spirit of overcoming difficulties:"Right now, the team is facing significant financial difficulties. The leadership is trying to resolve the issues step by step for the entire team. This is something we've all been waiting for. All our matches now feel like finals."

Professional impact analysis

The absence or declining fitness of a mobile player like Ngoc My made Thanh Hoa's attacking play less incisive. Statistics show that when My is not at 100%, Thanh Hoa's ability to press high and create individual breakthroughs decreases significantly. This explains why they struggled against a high-performing The Cong Viettel team.

With a thin squad and unresolved behind-the-scenes issues, the remainder of the 2025/26 V.League season will be an extreme test of Thanh Hoa's resilience. Ngoc My's recovery is not only a professional requirement but also a symbol of the effort to maintain hope during the most challenging phase of the season.