The Cong Viettel drew 2-2 with PVF-CAND: Popov talks about Damian Vu.

The 2-2 draw between The Cong Viettel and PVF-CAND in Round 11 of the V-League concluded with a highlight from the sidelines: Coach Popov refused to reveal the reason for starting overseas Vietnamese Damian Vu, emphasizing that the only measure of success was the quality of training, while also not hiding his mental exhaustion after the military team squandered the victory at the end of the match.

Viettel dropped the victory in the final minutes.

Viettel The Cong failed to secure all three points, allowing PVF-CAND to equalize in the final moments, turning a seemingly decided match into a draw. That moment exposed the problem of consistency that Coach Popov's team is still trying to solve in the middle of the season.

The decision to use Damian Vu: a measure from the training session.

When asked why he chose to start Damian Vu, Coach Popov put an end to speculation: “I won’t share the reason. This is my decision. Whoever trains well deserves to play.” This approach focuses on performance during the week, sending a clear message to the dressing room about competition and fairness in personnel selection.

Damian Vu is expected to help Viettel diversify their playing style and strengthen their midfield. Although he didn't make a clear impact in this match, being given the opportunity to start is still a step forward in terms of the pace and integration of the Vietnamese-born player into the team's tactical structure.

Coach Popov's mood: mentally exhausted after the match.

After the final whistle, Coach Popov didn't shy away from expressing his true feelings: "Everyone watched the game. I don't know what you expect me to say. Did they play well or poorly or what? I'm fed up. Enough is enough." It was a true reflection of the pressure: inconsistent results, high expectations from fans and the media, and the burden of managing the squad during a demanding series of matches.

Tactical perspective: signals for midfield structure

Giving Damian Vu a starting spot in Round 11 shows the coaching staff's priority on midfield flexibility. Even if the immediate effect isn't clear, this choice fits the team's logic: increasing connection options, adding energy, and creating internal competition. In the context of Viettel seeking stability, selecting players based on training sessions means each starting spot represents a commitment to intensity and discipline.

Off-field impact: a message for the dressing room and fans.

Popov refrained from commenting on individual players or specific personnel changes, but the core message remained clear: a transparent framework of criteria, with no compromise on non-professional factors. For fans, it was a commitment to renewing the team through internal competition; for players, it was a reminder that training standards must translate into a starting place.

Notable quotes

• "I won't share the reasons. This is my decision. Whoever trains well deserves to compete."
• "Everyone's already watched the game... I'm fed up. Enough is enough."

Points to watch in the upcoming rounds

• The level of integration and influence of Damian Vu when given the opportunity.
• Coach Popov rotated his squad, especially in midfield, to stabilize the results.
• The team's collective reaction to the message "those who train well will play" and its impact on the intensity of the match.