Công Phượng’s coach pleased with the victory in the crucial six-point match

Coach Việt Thắng acknowledged that his team at Trường Tươi Đồng Nai played impressively, exceeding expectations in their victory against Khánh Hòa.

The key match of the round between Trường Tươi Đồng Nai and Khánh Hòa at Bình Phước stadium on the afternoon of January 31 kicked off with a high tempo from the start. The visitors began confidently and quickly scored the opening goal, dampening the atmosphere in the stands. However, their advantage was short-lived as Đồng Nai gradually regained control, organizing smooth attacking moves and equalizing in the 14th minute thanks to Nguyễn Công Phượng’s sharp play.

After the match, Coach Nguyễn Việt Thắng stated: "Phượng played very well today; if he hadn't suffered a recurring injury, he would have had more playing time. It’s unfortunate because he trained and performed well, proving it with a goal. He lost nothing — his spatial awareness, first touch, and finishing were top-class, but sadly, the injury reoccurred just as he returned, which is a concern." The Đồng Nai coach believes the striker’s contribution was very evident in how the team structured their play.

He also added: "Winning against a direct rival obviously makes me satisfied. I’m especially pleased that despite conceding early, the team remained calm and made the most of continuous chances without rushing. It’s a pity the players couldn’t capitalize on all the opportunities created, but given the match, they exceeded my expectations." According to him, calmness and a never-give-up attitude were the key factors that helped the team turn the game around.

In the second half, Đồng Nai almost completely controlled the match. Quick, short passes down the wings repeatedly unsettled Khánh Hòa’s defense. In the 75th minute, Hải Quân unleashed a stunning volley from outside the box, sending the ball straight into the net amid the crowd’s roar. Not stopping there, Thanh Bình took advantage of a tight angle to seal a 3-1 victory, completing a convincing comeback and propelling the home team to the top of the standings.

Nevertheless, the joy of victory was tempered by concerns over Công Phượng’s condition. After scoring the equalizer, he was substituted at halftime to avoid further risk, replaced by Thanh Bình. The coaching staff said the injury had not yet been fully assessed and further medical examination was needed, but initial signs were not too serious.

With these valuable three points against a direct competitor, Đồng Nai temporarily holds a significant advantage in the race for first place. In the next round, Coach Việt Thắng’s team will face a challenging away match at Trẻ PVF-CAND on February 8, where they must maintain their form and focus to keep their leading position.