Truong Tuoi Tuoi Dong Nai shares points on the opening day

At 6:00 p.m. (September 20), at Binh Phuoc Stadium (Binh Phuoc Ward), the first round of the 2025/2026 National First Division took place between Truong Tuoi Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City.

Attending the match were Le Truong Son, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee; and Tran Tue Hien, former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the former Binh Phuoc Provincial People's Committee.

Member of the Provincial Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Nai province Le Truong Son and former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairwoman of the People's Committee of former Binh Phuoc province Tran Tue Hien attended the match. Photo: Nhu Nam

In this match, the home team striker Cong Phuong remained absent as he had not fully recovered from injury. Meanwhile, Minh Vuong started from the opening whistle, partnering with captain Xuan Truong in midfield.

Luu Tu Nhan wins the aerial duel to open the scoring 1-0 for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai. Photo: Nhu Nam

With the advantage of playing at home, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai immediately applied pressure from the opening whistle, creating several dangerous chances for Ho Chi Minh City's goalkeeper Thanh Thang. The most regrettable of these came late in the first half when Minh Vuong broke through to face the goal one-on-one, but his shot lacked precision, allowing Thanh Thang to deal with it easily.

Amid the home side’s sustained pressure, the visitors also issued warnings of their own, capitalizing on handling errors by Truong Tuoi Dong Nai players to mount quick responses. However, after 45 minutes of play, neither side managed to break the deadlock.

While the first half was somewhat boring without any goals, the second half was as dramatic as an action movie with 4 goals scored.

Just 10 minutes into the second half, following a corner kick from Minh Vuong, last season’s top scorer Luu Tu Nhan once again demonstrated his aerial dominance, rising above all to head the ball past the Ho Chi Minh City goalkeeper and open the scoring for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai.

Despite taking the lead and controlling a match in which Ho Chi Minh City struggled to retain possession, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai conceded an equalizer in the 67th minute from the penalty spot after a foul on an opposing striker inside the box.

The notable person who successfully took the penalty kick to equalize the score for the away team was Lam Thuan, who just left Truong Tuoi Dong Nai to join Ho Chi Minh City this season. Less than 10 minutes later, midfielder Minh Vuong proved his worth with a brave breakthrough and an accurate curling shot to defeat goalkeeper Thanh Thang of the away team to put Truong Tuoi Dong Nai ahead 2-1.

Minh Vuong scores to put his team ahead 2-1, but it was not enough to secure the win. Photo: Nhu Nam

As the match approached its final moments, it looked like the home side had all three points in hand. But in the 90th minute, Chu Van Kien unleashed a stunning long-range strike to unexpectedly level the score for Ho Chi Minh City, earning a valuable point for the visitors. With the 2-2 draw on opening day, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai walked away with just one point and sits mid-table.

By Nguyen Tan - Translated by Quoc Dung, Minho