It was not a warm welcome for head coach Nguyen Viet Thang on his return to his former club, Long An, over the weekend. Nevertheless, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC, under his leadership, secured what they came for, three points, and strengthened their hold at the top of the table.
Stable lineup
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| Truong Tuoi Dong Nai maintains its lead in the National First Division League after a 2-1 win over Long An. Photo: Courtesy of TTDN |
Coach Viet Thang kept the same lineup that produced a 4–1 victory over Xuan Thien Phu Tho in the third round earlier this month. The team formation includes Pham Huu Nghia as goalkeeper, with defenders Duong Van Khoa, Huynh Tan Sinh, Nguyen Thanh Loc, Nguyen Huu Tuan, and Le Van Son forming the back line. The midfield was composed of Luong Xuan Truong, Sam Ngoc Duc, Tran Minh Vuong, and Luu Tu Nhan, while Brazilian forward Alex Sandro led the attack.
Meanwhile, star player Nguyen Cong Phuong and striker Ho Thanh Minh were again absent. Notably, Cong Phuong, known as CP10, has yet to play a single minute for “The Green Warriors” after five rounds of the 2025–2026 season.
Despite the absences, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai started strongly with experienced players, dominating possession and pressing the goal of Nguyen Hoang Minh Duy. Full-backs Van Khoa and Van Son constantly pushed forward on both flanks, while Tu Nhan and Minh Vuong joined Alex Sandro in the attacking line. Former Hoang Anh Gia Lai midfielder Minh Vuong continued his impressive scoring form for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, netting a brace that sealed a 2–1 away victory over Long An.
With this latest result, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai remain unbeaten and lead the table with 10 points, extending their undefeated streak to five matches across all competitions since the start of the season.
Midfielder Minh Vuong shines bright
Among Truong Tuoi Dong Nai’s balanced team, midfielder Minh Vuong stands out as the most impressive performer. He seems to have rediscovered his best form after years of battling relegation with his former club HAGL.
Of the team’s nine goals across four matches in the National First Division League, Minh Vuong has scored five and provided several assists. It is no exaggeration to say that he currently accounts for more than half of the attacking power of “The Green Warriors.” He once again demonstrated his free-kick prowess by netting the opener against Long An. After the hosts equalized, the number 6 midfielder displayed exquisite control, trapping the ball delicately with his studs from a pass by Alex Sandro, maintaining his balance, and calmly slotted home the winner to seal a 2-1 victory for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai.
With five goals, Minh Vuong currently leads the Golden Boot race, holding a two-goal advantage over his closest rivals, Le Thanh Phong of Quy Nhon United and Chu Van Kien of Ho Chi Minh City FC.
It’s an impressive feat, considering last season’s top scorer, Luu Tu Nhan, scored nine goals over the entire campaign. Meanwhile, the current season has not yet reached one-fifth of its length.
In the next round, Minh Vuong will have a chance to boost his record as Truong Tuoi Dong Nai hosts Bac Ninh, the team that recently beat Quy Nhon United 3-1 to secure a spot in the top four with eight points.
Round 4 Results:
Van Hien University 1–0 Dong Thap
Ho Chi Minh City FC 5–0 Ho Chi Minh City Youth FC
Long An 1–2 Truong Tuoi Dong Nai
Quang Ninh 0–1 Khatoco Khanh Hoa
Bac Ninh 3–1 Quy Nhon United
Xuan Thien Phu Tho 1–3 PVF-CAND Youth
By Bao Tram – Translated by Thuc Oanh, Minho
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