The million-dollar play-off match at Vinh Stadium.

An Thanh• October 26, 2019 15:58

(Baonghean.vn) - If Pho Hien FC wins against Thanh Hoa in the play-off match at Vinh Stadium, they will be the second Vietnamese team (after Hanoi FC) to be promoted one league title each year.

In April 2018, with a core of young players, Pho Hien Football Club (Hung Yen province) was established to compete in the Second Division. The club set a goal of being promoted to the First Division in its first season and to play in the V-League in its second season.

Take shortcuts, get ahead of the curve.

To prepare for the 2018 National Second Division League, the club successfully negotiated loan deals for additional young players from PVF, Hanoi, Song Lam Nghe An, Viettel, and Dak Lak clubs.

"Dare to play" - the fighting spirit of the young players from Pho Hien FC led them to the runner-up position in the V.League 2019, securing a spot in the V.League Play-Off 2019. Photo: PHFC.
In their very first season, they defeated Ba Ria - Vung Tau in the play-off final for promotion to the First Division in 2019. Pho Hien brilliantly beat Ba Ria - Vung Tau with a resounding 4-1 victory. Pho Hien, An Giang, and Phu Dong FC were the three teams that earned the right to play in the First Division in 2019.

In their second season, Pho Hien FC once again surprised experts by finishing as runners-up in the 2019 First Division. Coach Hua Hien Vinh has 26 players with an average age of 19.5. Pho Hien's attack boasts Xuan Nam, the top scorer in the 2019 First Division, with 14 goals, even surpassing Minh Vuong, the top domestic scorer in the 2019 V.League, by two goals, despite the First Division only having 12 teams.

The Hung Yen team, from the land of longan fruit, has had many players called up to the Vietnam U22 team, including Duc Thong, Ngoc Bao, Tien Dat, Martin, and Trong Long, and the Vietnam U19 team: Huynh Cong Den and Le Van Do. The most "valuable" player is Lo Martin, a Vietnamese player born and raised in Australia.

Prior to the play-off match, the Pho Hien players participated in the national U21 tournament, winning the runner-up position (losing to Hanoi U21) and the Fair Play award. Defenders Tran Van Hoa and Tran Hoang Phuc, and midfielder Nguyen Trong Long were included in the tournament's ideal team lineup.

In play-off matches, V.League teams are usually considered stronger than First Division teams, but this time Thanh Hoa doesn't have much of an advantage over Pho Hien. Coach Hua Hien Vinh is considered to have more experience than Coach Mai Xuan Hop. Thanh Hoa's current poor form, with 9 losses and 2 draws, has left the players feeling insecure.

Người dân xứ nhãn lồng Hưng Yên đang cầu mong phố Hiến sẽ lên V.League 2020. Anh PHFC.
People in Hung Yen, known for its longan fruit, are hoping Pho Hien will be promoted to the V.League 2020. Photo: PHFC.
Thanh Hoa had to exert themselves in a tough match against B. Binh Duong to secure a play-off spot, while Pho Hien had ample time to prepare for this game. This match will be played without foreign players, so physical fitness will be a crucial factor.

The million-dollar playoff match

"Dare to Play," or "Dare to Fight," is the image that Pho Hien FC has demonstrated throughout the past season, leading them to the runner-up position in V.League 2019 and securing a spot in the V.League Play-Off 2019.

Pho Hien is also known for its "bold" club owner, willing to invest heavily in the team, rivaling Thanh Hoa FC. Therefore, for the second consecutive year, fans at Vinh Stadium will witness a play-off match considered a million-dollar affair.

An Thanh