Cong Phuong on the historic moment with Dong Nai FC

After more than two decades of waiting, Dong Nai football is very close to a historic moment. This weekend, Cong Phuong could become the symbol of the first promotion celebration for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai club.

On the afternoon of May 30, when six matches of the penultimate round of the 2025/26 National First Division take place simultaneously at 4:00 PM, all eyes will be onBinh Phuoc Stadium, where Dong Nai hosts Long An in a match that could decide the championship and the V-League promotion ticket.

The current situation presents an unbeatable opportunity for the Dong Nai team. After 20 rounds,Dong Naileads the standings with 47 points, 5 points ahead of the chasing Bac Ninh with only two rounds remaining.

That means, as long as they beat Long An, who are second from bottom and have little left to play for, the team ofCoach Nguyen Viet Thangwill officially be crowned one round early. That will be a special moment for Cong Phuong.

After many years of competing in the V-League, the Vietnam national team, and various overseas journeys with ups and downs, the striker from Nghe An now has the opportunity to experience the joy of promotion for the first time with a club in what is considered the 'backyard' of the V-League.

But the value of this journey lies not only in a title, but also in the fact thatCong Phuongis becoming part of the revival of Dong Nai football.

This club has had a troubled past. Since Vietnamese football entered the professional era in 2000, Dong Nai has never truly established a solid position at the highest level.

The rare highlight was when Dong Nai Berjaya was specially promoted to the V-League in 2013, but the joy was short-lived as they quickly relegated. For many years, Dong Nai football and also Binh Phuoc have lingered in the First Division, facing financial instability, lack of long-term strategy, and mainly playing just to avoid relegation.

But everything changed since the club received a new breath of life, and after two seasons of building foundations with third-place and runner-up finishes, Dong Nai has truly transformed this season. The team of Coach Nguyen Viet Thang has played consistently, with composure, and has looked like championship contenders from the start. More importantly, the club has managed to combine investment ambition with professional value.

The arrival of stars like Cong Phuong and Minh Vuong has not only elevated the club's image but also brought a different level of class to the First Division. It is the experience and composure of the generation that spent many years competing forthe Vietnam national teamthat has helped Dong Nai overcome difficult moments.

Therefore, Long An can hardly create a surprise in the penultimate round as they have to play at Dong Nai's home ground. The local people are excited and ready for celebration scenarios. The real festival of Dong Nai football will take place this week; May 30, 2026 could be the milestone when Dong Nai football rewrites history after more than 20 years of waiting.

As for Cong Phuong, after many career ups and downs, the former HAGL striker can smile again in a role he has never performed before. That is contributing to bringing a football region full of ambition back onto the big map of Vietnamese football.