Coach Viet Thang announced: Cong Phuong cannot return yet.
Truong Tuoi Dong Nai won 4-2 against Thanh Nien TP HCM in round 6, but coach Viet Thang confirmed that Cong Phuong has not practiced with the team and will continue to be absent; the team currently has 14 injured cases.
Coach Viet Thang confirmed that Cong Phuong cannot play in the next match, and has not even practiced with the team yet. This information came right after Truong Tuoi Dong Nai won 4-2 against Thanh Nien TP HCM in round 6 of the First Division, thereby continuing to chase the top spot of Khacoto Khanh Hoa.
Cong Phuong is still absent - confirmed by coach Viet Thang
Before round 6, the image of Cong Phuong practicing was posted on the team's fanpage, making fans expect the captain to be on the list of players. However, the striker born in 1995 continued to be absent. After the match, head coach Viet Thang said: "In the next match, Cong Phuong cannot play or practice with the team. I feel sorry for Cong Phuong. Since the beginning of the season, when preparing for the National Cup, Phuong has contributed 4 goals in practice matches."
Expectations of a delayed return, Dong Nai still won 4-2
Despite the absence of Cong Phuong, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai still beat Thanh Nien TP HCM with a score of 4-2. The result helped the team continue to keep close to Khacoto Khanh Hoa. However, the Dong Nai audience still misses Cong Phuong as he has been absent for 7 consecutive matches (6 matches in the First Division and 1 match in the National Cup).
Tactical gaps and forced adjustments
The lack of a key striker forced the coaching staff to change their personnel structure. Coach Viet Thang said clearly: "Without Cong Phuong, I have to rotate personnel. Minh Vuong is not a striker but he still has to be pushed up. I use a central midfielder when Phuong is absent. We have 14 injured players, so we have to rotate positions. Luckily, the team is eager, listens, and discovers themselves. They play in positions that are not their forte but still do well."
These adjustments show that Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is prioritizing flexibility: instead of fixed roles, positions are swapped to compensate for the shortage in the front line. In the context of a depleted force, the 4-goal performance in the most recent match reflects the team's ability to adapt.
The role of Cong Phuong in the attack plan
According to the team source, Cong Phuong is considered the main spark and the soul in the attacking style of Truong Tuoi Dong Nai. However, since the beginning of this season, his contributions have been zero due to injury. Previously, when preparing for the National Cup, Cong Phuong scored 4 goals in practice matches, showing his influence when in good condition.
After 1 year of returning to Vietnam to compete, fans are waiting for him to take the field with the familiar number 10 shirt. In the 2024/2025 season, when he first played for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, the former HAGL star wore the number 70 shirt and scored 7 goals in the First Division.
Selected statistics
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Round 6 results | Tuoi Dong Nai School 4-2 Thanh Nien City Ho Chi Minh City |
| Cong Phuong's absence | 7 matches (6 First Division, 1 National Cup) |
| Injury in the team | 14 |
| Cong Phuong's goal when preparing for the National Cup | 4 (in practice matches) |
| Goal in the First Division season 2024/2025 (shirt number 70) | 7 |
Prospects
With "not yet practicing with the team" and certainly not playing in the next match, the time when Cong Phuong will return is still uncertain. In the meantime, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai continues to rely on discipline and personnel flexibility to chase Khacoto Khanh Hoa. The biggest expectation of fans is to see Cong Phuong's familiar number 10 appear on the field, when he has fully recovered.