Truong Tuoi Dong Nai (formerly Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc) finished second in the First Division last season, before losing 0-2 to Da Nang in the V-League play-off. They were then offered a special promotion to replace Quang Nam, who withdrew from the league, but declined, wanting to earn promotion through their performance.
To achieve this goal, the club's management invested heavily in personnel. Coach Nguyen Viet Thang, who led Ninh Binh to promotion, was appointed, along with a strong support staff including former naturalized goalkeeper Phan Van Santos, former national team players Truong Dinh Luat, Nguyen Quang Hai, and Le Phuoc Tu. The team also added current stars such as Luong Xuan Truong, Tran Minh Vuong, Nguyen Huu Tuan, Duong Van Khoa, Le Van Son, and Ho Thanh Minh.
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Luong Xuan Truong is determined to take Dong Nai to the V-League next season. Photo: Vu An |
Luong Xuan Truong is determined to take Dong Nai to the V-League next season. Photo: Vu An
With a strong squad and coaching staff, team owner Pham Huong Son is determined to achieve promotion. "We finished third and second in the previous two seasons, so this season our only goal is to win the championship and secure promotion, bringing joy to Dong Nai fans," Son said at the team's launch ceremony on the evening of 9/9.
Last season, captain and striker Nguyen Cong Phuong contributed many important goals but missed a penalty in the play-off match. Therefore, he is even more determined to fulfill his unfinished dream. "This season will be difficult and challenging, but it is also an opportunity for us to prove our mettle and desire to win. I promise to fight to the very last breath to take Dong Nai to promotion," Cong Phuong stated.
Joining Cong Phuong this season are former HAGL teammates Xuan Truong, Minh Vuong, Van Son, and Huu Tuan. They are all excited to reunite in a new environment with a clear objective. "I'm really excited and looking forward to getting on the field and fighting together," Xuan Truong said.
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From left: Cong Phuong, President Huong Son, and Coach Nguyen Viet Thang at the Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC launch ceremony on the evening of 9/9. Photo: Vu An |
From left: Cong Phuong, President Huong Son, and Coach Nguyen Viet Thang at the Truong Tuoi Dong Nai FC launch ceremony on the evening of 9/9. Photo: Vu An
After leaving HAGL, Xuan Truong played for Hai Phong and then Ha Tinh in the V-League. He doesn't consider joining Dong Nai in the First Division a step back professionally, affirming that every team and every league has its own challenges.
"At any level, the team's daily training intensity is very high. Through recent friendly matches with other First Division clubs, I haven't seen much difference. Of course, we have to wait until the official season starts to get a clearer sense," the midfielder from Tuyen Quang explained. "We aim for promotion, so we can't underestimate any match. Just a few missteps, and the opportunity will slip away. Therefore, the whole team must be disciplined and diligent to achieve our goal."
Dong Nai will begin the new season with a National Cup match against Becamex TP HCM on the evening of 14/9 at Dong Xoai Stadium.
Duc Dong
