Short on players, Thanh Hoa's goalkeeper even prepared a player's jersey

With a critical lack of players, Thanh Hoa even arranged for the goalkeeper to wear a player's jersey to enter the game, yet they secured a remarkable 2-1 win against CA TP HCM.

Amidst a seriously depleted squad, Thanh Hoa Football Club created one of the most unique stories in round 13 of the 2025/26 V-League when the goalkeeper had to be ready with a player's jersey to step onto the pitch. This unusual detail was revealed following the courageous 2-1 victory of the Thanh Hoa team against Cong An TP HCM at Thong Nhat Stadium.

After the match, midfielder Nguyen Ngoc My shared that Thanh Hoa entered the game with a severe shortage of players, forcing the coaching staff to consider unprecedented solutions. “Honestly, today the Thanh Hoa players gave their all with every ounce of energy. The team only had about 15-16 players, including our goalkeeper who had to prepare both goalkeeper and player jerseys to be ready to enter the match at any moment if necessary,”Ngoc My said.

According to the U23 Vietnam national team member, the lack of personnel limited Thanh Hoa's tactical preparation and in-game substitutions. “Every time we stepped onto the field, the whole team was determined to give their best and play with maximum spirit,”Ngoc My added, emphasizing that team unity was the key factor helping them overcome adversity.

In fact, during the away match on the evening of February 8, Thanh Hoa registered only 17 players: 11 starters and 6 substitutes. Notably, only 4 substitutes could cover various positions on the field, while the other two slots were goalkeepers, making the risk of a “broken lineup” constant if injuries or cards occurred.

Given this situation, Thanh Hoa's coaching staff devised a special plan involving goalkeeper Xuan Hoang. Instead of starting, Xuan Hoang was registered as a substitute and was prepared to play various positions such as midfielder, forward, or center-back if the team ran out of players on the field.

In goal, coach Mai Xuan Hop gave the chance to Y Eli Nie, the goalkeeper born in 2001, who justified the trust with an impressive performance. Alongside Damoth Thongkhamsavath’s two long-range shots, Thanh Hoa claimed a valuable 2-1 victory, temporarily rising to 10th place with 12 points and extending the gap from bottom-placed Da Nang by 5 points — a well-deserved reward for their relentless fighting spirit.