Thanh Hoa defeated SLNA 1-0, Coach Choi said he has not received his salary for 3 months

A moment in the 32nd minute split the fate of the match at Vinh Stadium: goalkeeper Cao Van Binh's mistake opened up the goal, and Rimario did not miss, scoring the only goal to help Dong A Thanh Hoa beat Song Lam Nghe An 1-0 in round 8 of V-League 2025/26. Coach Choi Won-kwon himself called these three points the result of his efforts and preparation, in the context that he revealed that the team had not received their salary for 4-5 months, and he for 3 months.

The decisive moment: goalkeeping mistake and Rimario's instinct

The match was balanced and full of clashes from the start. Both SLNA and Thanh Hoa created promising situations, but inaccurate finishing prevented the goal from shaking early. The turning point came in the 32nd minute: from an unsafe handling of the defense and goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, Rimario seized the opportunity to finish into an empty net, putting the away team ahead.

In tense matches, the team that takes advantage of mistakes will have the upper hand. In Vinh, Thanh Hoa did it better: without many touches, just one timely decision from the main striker was enough to unlock the match.

Second half: SLNA pushed up, Thanh Hoa covered the gap

After the break, SLNA pushed up their formation to find an equalizer. The home team increased the pressure but could not penetrate Thanh Hoa's solid defense. Meanwhile, the away team chose a safe option, prioritizing a disciplined defense, fiercely competing and waiting for a counter-attack opportunity.

SLNA not only got stuck in the final decision-making process but also put themselves at risk many times due to unsafe handling of the back line. Thanh Hoa therefore had a moment when they came close to doubling the gap, but 1-0 was enough to end the match.

Tactical angle: protect the advantage with low structure, compact transition

After the opening goal, Thanh Hoa shifted their focus to controlling space instead of controlling the ball. The lines maintained close distance, minimizing the space between defenders and midfielders. This approach forced SLNA to move the ball out to the wing or shoot from unfavorable positions.

In the opposite direction, SLNA tried to increase the speed of rotation after the first half was deadlocked. But when the decisive passes still lacked accuracy, the steadfastness and concentration of the away team's defense system became the difference.

Notable statement: victory is not due to luck, and salary matters

Coach Choi Won-kwon emphasized the worthiness of the 3 points: “We showed everything we have done. In this match, we did the most important thing which was to win all 3 points.”

He also shared about the difficulties behind the scenes: “As you know, the situation of Dong A Thanh Hoa is extremely difficult. Up to now, it has been 4-5 months since we received our salary. I have been working here for 3 months and have not received my salary. But with today's victory, it will change the situation, change the ranking. I hope that it will unite and change for the better for our team behind the scenes.”

Impact: First 3 points after 8 rounds and psychological boost

The victory in Vinh not only relieves the pressure of performance for Thanh Hoa but also has special spiritual value in the context of financial difficulties. According to the recorded developments, these are the first 3 points of the team after 8 rounds of V-League 2025/26 - a milestone that can help the dressing room become more united, as expected by Coach Choi.

By turning the moment of the opponent's mistake into victory, Thanh Hoa reiterated the key principle of top-level football: concentration and discipline in both penalty boxes. With a long journey ahead, the 90 minutes in Vinh could be the foundation for the Thanh team to change the trajectory.

Key facts

• Tournament: V-League 2025/26, round 8
• Result: SLNA 0-1 Dong A Thanh Hoa
• Goal scorer: Rimario 32'
• Context: Thanh Hoa has the first 3 points after 8 rounds
• Statement: Coach Choi said the team has not received salary for 4-5 months, and he has not received salary for 3 months.