At 7:15 p.m. tonight (September 14), one of the standout matches of the Round of 16 in the 2025/2026 National Cup will be the highly anticipated clash between Truong Tuoi Dong Nai and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City. Beyond the evenly matched competition, the emotional connection between several "former teammates" now on opposing sides adds a compelling layer to this encounter.
 |
| Goalkeeper Tan Truong (Truong Tuoi Dong Nai) will set aside past bonds with former teammates now on the opposing side to help his team secure the best possible result. Photo: Nguyen Tan |
In his role as head coach of Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Anh Duc faced his former team for the first time, the club he had led for the past two seasons. During nearly two seasons with Truong Tuoi Dong Nai (formerly Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc), “Duc Eto'o” was seen as falling short of expectations, as he was unable to guide the “Green Warriors” to promotion.
After leaving the First Division team, Anh Duc returned to the place where he built his brand, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Becamex Binh Duong), with the ambition of bringing this team into the top 3 of V.League in the 2025/2026 season.
In addition to coach Anh Duc, this match also marks a reunion for last season’s First Division top scorer, Luu Tu Nhan, and his former teammates at Becamex Ho Chi Minh City. He spent many years training and developing with the former Dat Thu team. Notably, this afternoon’s clash between Truong Tuoi Dong Nai and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City is also an opportunity for goalkeeper Tan Truong and striker Sy Giap to welcome back familiar former teammates from Becamex, a club the Dong Thap-born goalkeeper will surely never forget, as it played a significant role in his career.
Listing the “familiar faces” in this Round of 16 clash between two neighboring teams highlights just how well the sides know each other. However, with both clubs aiming high, especially Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, which has undergone a full-scale restructuring from infrastructure to leadership and is striving for a successful season under its new name, while also enjoying home-field advantage, past bonds and old memories will surely be set aside in pursuit of a favorable result.
 |
| Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is determined to win the opening match of the season to "Good start, good ending". Photo: Nguyen Tan |
Entering the new season with a burning ambition to claim the First Division title, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai will no doubt take the proverb “A good start makes a good ending” as their guiding principle in this afternoon’s match against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City.
On the visitors’ side, with their existing strength and the advantage of competing in a higher-tier league, coach Anh Duc and his players are sure to give their all in pursuit of victory over the home side. For the former Truong Tuoi Dong Nai coach, winning this match is not only about advancing further in this year’s National Cup as it is also a chance to prove his worth, something he was unable to fully do during nearly two years with the “Green Warriors”.
The Round of 16 match of the 2025/2026 National Cup between Truong Tuoi Dong Nai and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City will kick off at 7:15 p.m. on September 14, 2025, at Binh Phuoc Stadium (Binh Phuoc Ward). Prior to the match, at 6:15 p.m., fans will be treated to an opening ceremony featuring a music and dance performance, along with a drone show involving 500 drones. Notably, this season, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai Club will continue offering free admission to all home matches for their supporters.
By: Nguyen Tan
Translated by: Quoc Dung - Minho
Thông tin bạn đọc
Đóng Lưu thông tin