Phi Hoang scored to help Da Nang draw 1-1 with Nam Dinh in round 8.

On a night where every cross was a statement, Nguyen Phi Hoang opened the door for himself. In round 8 of the 2025/26 V-League, the left-back born in 2003 scored his first goal of the season, helping SHB Da Nang leave Nam Dinh Stadium with a 1-1 draw – a valuable point against a highly rated opponent. That goal not only saved the Han River team a positive result, but also sent a clear message to Vietnam national team head coach Kim Sang Sik about an energetic left wing option.

The moment of liberation and the national team stepping stone

The goal against Nam Dinh ended Phi Hoang’s wait after playing 6/8 matches since the beginning of the season without scoring a goal. For a winger, that moment is often the boundary between quiet effort and recognition. At Hoa Xuan, he was used to the rhythm of attacking and defending, but in a challenging stadium like Nam Dinh, leaving a mark on the scoreboard is an important step forward in terms of mentality and position.

The symbolism was even greater as it came at the same time Phi Hoang had just experienced his first training session with the national team under coach Kim Sang Sik in October. Although he had not been able to play due to fierce competition from seniors like Cao Quang Vinh and Van Vi, the experience of the national team had raised the playing standards of the 22-year-old defender. This goal showed that he knew how to convert that opportunity into a specific product on the field.

Tactical analysis: What the left wing can bring

Phi Hoang’s outstanding strength is noted in three factors: speed, physical strength and the ability to attack high up the pitch. In modern systems, the left-back is not only a winger but also a deep drill, creating numerical superiority in the half-space. The ability to score goals – demonstrated by the situation against Nam Dinh – expands the toolbox of a full-back, giving the team more options to solve deadlocks from situations of late penetration or cutting in at the far post.

For SHB Da Nang, a left-back can threaten the penalty area, forcing opponents to drop deep, thereby freeing up space for the second line. For Vietnam, that means healthy competition for positions on the left flank, where defensive stability needs to be balanced by overlapping and joining the attack when the opportunity arises.

U23 foundation and the move to the national team

Phi Hoang is a mainstay of the Vietnam U23 team on the left flank at the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship and the 2026 AFC U23 Championship. The series of international youth matches has given him a standardization of positional discipline and movement intensity. The first call-up by coach Kim Sang Sik last October was a milestone to confirm his ability; the goal in round 8 helped strengthen his competitive profile in the next call-ups.

Impact on SHB Da Nang and Nam Dinh

A point against a strong opponent like Nam Dinh is valuable both psychologically and tactically. For Da Nang, the left-back scoring shows that the team has an attacking force from the back, making the play more unpredictable. For Nam Dinh, the goal conceded from the side is a reminder to control the space in the far post and manage overlapping situations.

National team perspective: Signal for coach Kim Sang Sik

For coach Kim Sang Sik, every outstanding performance from the young players is important data for the screening process. The appearance of a left-back with speed, physical strength, ability to support the attack and the ability to finish will increase the quality of competition in a position that is rarely chosen. From now until SEA Games 33, it is the time for Phi Hoang to maintain his form, improve defensive details such as 1v1, covering the space behind and the quality of his crosses - the foundation to convert potential into a starting position.

Selected statistics

• Round: Round 8 V-League 2025/26
• Score: Nam Dinh 1-1 SHB Da Nang
• Goal scorer for SHB Da Nang: Nguyen Phi Hoang
• Phi Hoang's goal: first in V-League season 2025/26
• Number of matches Phi Hoang has played since the beginning of the season: 6/8

Conclude

The 1-1 draw at Nam Dinh Stadium marked a personal turning point for Phi Hoang and opened up an interesting problem on the left flank of the national team. If he maintains his pace and adds stability, the left-back of SHB Da Nang can become a valuable option for coach Kim Sang Sik in the upcoming campaigns.

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