Viettel beat Thanh Hoa 1-0, coach Popov was overcome with emotion.
Returning to the Thanh Hoa stadium, coach Velizar Popov and Viettel won 1-0 but did not celebrate. He affirmed his love for Thanh Hoa, praised Ngoc My, Van Thuan, and Thai Son; Viettel temporarily moved up to third place.
Viettel left Thanh Hoa Stadium with all three points thanks to a spectacular goal in the 31st minute by Dinh Viet Tu, on a day when coach Velizar Popov reunited with his former team. Despite the victory, the 49-year-old coach remained pensive, did not celebrate, and after the match emphasized his special affection for Thanh Hoa.
The game-winning moment: a stunning goal in the 31st minute.
The match on the evening of November 2nd at Thanh Hoa Stadium was decided by a moment of individual brilliance: Dinh Viet Tu scored the only goal in the 31st minute with a spectacular strike, securing a narrow 1-0 victory for Viettel. After the goal, the visiting team's technical area remained quiet; coach Velizar Popov did not celebrate, keeping his emotions to himself on his return.
Popov did not celebrate and affirmed that he "loves Thanh Hoa very much".
In the press conference, coach Velizar Popov confided: “I love Thanh Hoa very much. Even though we won today, I still feel a little sad. Thanh Hoa has good quality players and doesn't deserve to be at the bottom of the table when this season ends.”
He also praised the young talents of his former team: "Ngoc My, Van Thuan, and Thai Son are not only talents of Thanh Hoa but also the future of Vietnamese football."
Impact on the V-League standings
These three valuable points temporarily propelled Viettel to third place in the V-League standings, providing a morale boost after their disappointing loss to Hoang Anh Gia Lai about a week ago. With an improved points tally, Viettel has a good foundation to chase the leading group in the upcoming period.
Thanh Hoa and the relegation battle.
The defeat leaves Thanh Hoa struggling in their efforts to escape the bottom of the table. In the next round, coach Choi Won-kwon's team will travel to Pleiku to face Hoang Anh Gia Lai – a direct competitor in the relegation battle, promising a tough test of their character.
Match quick information
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Result | Viettel won 1-0 at Thanh Hoa Stadium. |
| Goal scorer | Dinh Viet Tu 31' |
| Time | Evening of November 2nd |
| Location | Thanh Hoa Stadium |
| Viettel coach | Velizar Popov |
| Thanh Hoa coach | Choi Won-kwon |
Emotional highlight
Coach Velizar Popov's pensive demeanor throughout the match, even after his team scored and won, is a prime example of the bond between him and Thanh Hoa. His post-match statements highlighted his appreciation for his former teammates while also acknowledging the potential of young players like Ngoc My, Van Thuan, and Thai Son.
With the race tightening at both ends of the table, a narrow but timely victory gives Viettel added confidence. Conversely, Thanh Hoa needs to take advantage of every opportunity in the following rounds to improve their position.
